The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has rejected allegations that he misled the Dáil in failing to disclose details of Cabinet discussions concerning Mr Justice Flood's intention to retire from the planning tribunal.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Mr Ahern said he resented such suggestions and that he had brought the matter to the house as soon as the legal implications of Mr Flood's decision had been discussed at Cabinet level.
However, Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said: "If the Taoiseach feels that he has been unfairly accused of misleading the Dail, he has only himself to blame".
Mr Kenny said: "Last week, on 24th and 25th June, he failed to reveal that Justice Flood's intentions had been under discussion with his Government for at least a month."
He said the Taoiseach clearly the "gave the House the impression" that he had only learned of MrJustice Flood's wishes earlier that day at a Cabinet meeting.
"It is clear from Justice Flood's letter of 28 May 2003 to the Attorney General that the Government were aware of potential legal problems if the issue of costs was not dealt with by Justice Flood," Mr Kenny said.
"Despite have this advance knowledge, theGovernment failed to prepare the necessary legislation in time to have itbrought before the House in this session," he said.
Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte complained that on June 11th the Minister for Environment Mr Martin Cullen had told the House that there were no plans to change the Tribunal when he must have known of the Mr Flood's decision to resign.
Mr Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach why he had not disclosed details of a Cabinet meeting in May at which the matter was discussed.
Mr Ahern said correspondence regarding these discussions had been withdrawn at the request of the Tribunal.
