Dublin West TD Mr Liam Lawlor stepped down as vice-chairman of a Dail committee this afternoon, after a heated response to a no-confidence motion tabled against him.
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Mr Liam Lawlor TD
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In his response to statements from members of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service, Mr Lawlor said a number of senior politicians including the Tanaiste and the Fine Gael leader had questions to answer. He said that today’s meeting was nothing more than an exploitation of "political vindictiveness".
Mr Lawlor said he had resigned from the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party so the workings of Government would not be affected and added it was in a similar spirit that he would step down as vice-chairperson on the committee.
He said he would continue to defend himself with openness and transparency and work to clear his name before the tribunal and the High Court.
Mr Lawlor’s response was met with anger and disbelief by committee members including Labour deputy Mr Sean Ryan who said he was "disappointed and appalled by Mr Lawlor’s contribution" and was dismayed that he should "use this vehicle of the Oireachtas" to make "outlandish" remarks about "John Bruton, Ruairi Quinn, Bobby Molloy and the Tanaiste".
In tabling the motion Fine Gael deputy Mr Jimmy Deenihan said the issue was not about "party in-fighting or party slagging", but he said he believed Mr Lawlor’s behaviour before the Flood Tribunal meant it "was entirely appropriate to express a motion of no-confidence and to ask Liam Lawlor to resign when the motion is passed".
Fine Gael’s finance spokesman Mr Michael Noonan welcomed Mr Lawlor’s resignation saying if anyone had any doubts as to the Dublin West TD’s suitability as chairperson they would be resolved after listening to his "innuendoes and accusations".
Deputy Derek McDowell, Labour’s finance spokesman accused Mr Lawlor of bring the profession and business of politics into serious disrepute. He said there was now a perception among the public that "we’re all at it", and the existence of a "cloud of suspicion" was enough for the motion to be tabled. He added that he wanted "to hear from you [Mr Lawlor] an appreciation of the damage you have done."