The Government last night voted down the Opposition motion of censure against the Independent TD, Mr Tom Gildea.

Supported by Mr Gildea, who represents Donegal South-West, and his Independent colleagues, Mr Jackie Healy-Rae, Kerry South, Mr Harry Blaney, Donegal North-East, and Ms Mildred Fox, Wicklow, the Coalition won the division by 77 votes to 73.

Mr Gildea, who last week accused the Dublin North Fine Gael TD, Ms Nora Owen, of acting improperly as Minister for Justice, sat impassively on the Independent benches during the debate.

He was offered time to speak by the Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, but he remained silent.

Mr Quinn asked: "Why did he say what he said? Why did he write down in advance what he said? Why did he not completely withdraw his allegations when he was finally forced to so do? Why will he not state now that there was no substance to the allegations?"

The censure motion was only giving further attention to a ridiculous allegation and worsening the situation by giving "legs" to the false claims, the Dβil was told.

Mr Sean Ardagh, (FF, Dublin South Central) called on Mr Gildea (Ind, Donegal South West) to make a "fulsome apology" to Mrs Owen. In the Dβil last week Deputy Gildea alleged corruption and that the former Minister abused her political powers to put undue pressure on the garda∅ in Co Donegal.

Ms Fox (Ind, Wicklow) said she did not condone either the content of Deputy Gildea's comments or the manner in which they were made.

She believed both Deputy Owen and Deputy Gildea were hardworking politicians and decent people.

Referring to comments by the Opposition that Independent deputies had been "bought", Ms Fox said "it seems to conveniently slip the Opposition's minds that the Rainbow Coalition themselves tried to negotiate a deal with the Independents. They now constantly criticise us for doing with others what they wanted to do themselves, which is to support a stable Government".

Mr Gerry Reynolds (FG, Sligo-Leitrim) said the Taoiseach had failed to consider the enormity of the issue.

When serious charges of misconduct were made against Mr Ahern by an individual who claimed he gave him money in a car-park, the Taoiseach had the opportunity to clear his name through the judicial system.

No such avenue was available to Mrs Owen.

Mr Healy-Rae (Independent, Kerry South) said Mr Gildea had withdrawn the remarks made against Ms Owen and immediately apologised to her.

"I am appealing to Deputy Owen, and the Fine Gael party to accept Deputy Gildea's apology. He made it in all good faith. Coming so close to Christmas, and the time of the year we are in, let us all put this behind us.

Mr Bernard Durkan (FG, Kildare South) said he had learned one thing as a member of the House: there was a golden rule that there was only one way out when the good name of another member was taken.

"You either substantiate it or make a total and abject apology. If you don't have the guts to make that apology, you are setting a new standard for the House."

Mr Michael Ring (FG, Mayo) asked Mr Gildea to withdraw the substance of the allegation, adding that Mrs Owen had been devastated by it.

The former Fine Gael Taoiseach, Mr John Bruton, said he had the privilege of nominating Ms Owen as Minister for Justice, adding that she had shown courage and integrity in that role under extreme pressure.

Addressing Mr Gildea, he said: "You are a disgrace to this House, Deputy, and your unwillingness to show any real feeling in your apology, to speak from your heart, does you no credit."