Former tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is standing by evidence he gave to the Fennelly Commission which contradicted that provided by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.

Mr Gilmore told the commission, which examined events leading up to the retirement of former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan, that Mr Kenny had told him he would not be able to express confidence in Mr Callinan if asked. This has been denied by Mr Kenny.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr Gilmore said he stood by his account of the meeting with Mr Kenny on March 24th last year.

In the dark

The commission’s report found that Mr Gilmore and Labour were kept in the dark about a late-night visit to Mr Callinan’s home by former Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell, during which he told the commissioner of concerns over revelations about the taping of calls at Garda stations. Mr Callinan announced his retirement the following morning.

The report did note a pre-Cabinet meeting between the Taoiseach and then tánaiste, with the men giving conflicting accounts. It found that Mr Kenny did “not intend to put pressure” on Mr Callinan to retire but also said it was reasonable for Mr Callinan to conclude he should consider his position.

Asked if he believed Mr Kenny did not sack Mr Callinan, Mr Gilmore replied: “That was the findings of the report. That does not surprise me. The commissioner decided to retire.”

Mr Gilmore, who stepped down as Labour leader last year, also said Labour should campaign to repeal the eighth amendment in the next government, even though Fine Gael has refused to commit to a referendum on abortion.

“I think the Labour party should campaign for a repeal of the eight amendment. I have always said that,” Mr Gilmore said.