Micheál Martin refuses to comment on Michael Lowry’s integrity

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Tánaiste has refused to say whether he believes Michael Lowry is a man of integrity, citing the potential for court proceedings against the independent TD.

Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail has been engaged in government formation talks after emerging as the largest party following the general election.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, who were coalition partners from the outgoing government, are together just shy of a majority and are expected to enter into a deal with independents to secure the necessary numbers.

The Regional Independents Group has included Mr Lowry among seven TDs who are willing to negotiate as a bloc.

Last year, it was reported that Mr Lowry was interviewed by gardaí from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) who are investigating matters related to the Moriarty Tribunal.

The tribunal was set up in 1997 to examine payments made to former taoiseach Charles Haughey and Mr Lowry.

In 2011, it found that Mr Lowry, a former Fine Gael TD, helped businessman Denis O’Brien secure a mobile phone licence in 1995.

The Tribunal also criticised his behaviour as “profoundly corrupt”.

At the time, Mr Martin said Mr Lowry should “consider his position” as a TD.

Gardaí confirmed on Thursday that a file relating to its investigations around the findings of the Tribunal has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Asked if it was appropriate that Mr Lowry could act as a kingmaker in the next Government, Mr Martin acknowledged his previous comments around the independent TD but said he had been elected multiple times by the people of Tipperary since the Tribunal.

Speaking to reporters at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin, he said: “There is no one kingmaker, we are negotiating with the Regional Independent Group. It is not just one individual.”

Mr Martin said that it is anticipated that some of those independents would be given ministerial office, but ruled out such a post for Mr Lowry.

“He has made it very clear himself that he doesn’t want to hold ministerial office, so that is not on the agenda.”

Asked whether the preparation of a file for the DPP changed his perception on negotiations involving Mr Lowry, Mr Martin commented that he had to be “very careful” about what he said.

“I have to be mindful of the independence of the DPP and the gardai, but also anything that would in any way undermine or impact on the progress of such an investigation and subsequent potential court proceedings if that was to materialise.”

Pressed on whether he trusted Mr Lowry or considered him to be a man of integrity, the Tánaiste said: “I’m not going to comment at this stage given what we now know in terms of an investigation.”