DAIL REPORT: A Fine Gael TD alleged in the Dáil that the High Court judge chairing the electronic voting commission is a "Fianna Fáil hack". Mr Paul Kehoe, who represents Wexford, made the accusation during exchanges over the composition of the commission, whose membership was announced on Tuesday.
The Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, later told deputies he could not rule on the issue as he did not hear the remark "due to the level of interruption".
However, he said "in accordance with long-standing rules of the House, the Chair deplores any remarks made concerning an eminent member of the judiciary". Late last night, just before the Dáil adjourned, Mr Keogh came into the House and apologised to the Ceann Comhairle for his remark and he unreservedly withdrew it.
In the row over electronic voting, the Taoiseach also challenged the Opposition to repeat outside the privilege of the Dáil allegations that Fianna Fáil was "manipulating the system or the software to manipulate the vote".
They should say it "outside the House, and let the reputable companies involved in this take the necessary action".
And he criticised Fine Gael's environment spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen, who claimed the panel was not independent.
When Mr Ahern said that "if a High Court judge, Justice Matthew P Smith is not independent", Mr Allen interrupted and said the Taoiseach "did not consult anybody".
Mr Ahern said Mr Allen "makes many throwaway remarks. This is a High Court judge who is chairman of the Standards in Public Office Commission. "The man is beyond reproach, and the deputy should not make throwaway remarks," at which point Mr Kehoe said: "He is a Fianna Fáil hack."
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dick Roche, and Mr John Glennon (FF, Dublin North) both heard the remark, and shouted across: "Withdraw that remark about the judge."
The row started when the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, questioned the Taoiseach about the composition of the Electronic Voting and Counting Commission, the independent panel that will inquire into the electronic voting system to be introduced in June elections.
He had asked why the independent panel did not include the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Ombudsman, who had "expressed concern about this change to the system of voting". Mr Ahern said the independent commission was "just that".
"Its members should be allowed to get on with their work unfettered by political comment and interference. There will certainly be none from me. I will not question the commission's integrity, and we should not do so. The commission's composition includes a High Court judge and members of the Public Offices Commission."
The Opposition later erupted when the Taoiseach said he wanted to ask a question. "Is somebody prepared to stand up and say that Fianna Fáil has manipulated this system, or that it has changed the software to manipulate the vote?"
He called on the Opposition to repeat the allegation outside the House. Mr Allen said it would be repeated , and the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said the answer to the question was, "yes, if you thought you'd get away with it".
