Taoiseach and Tánaiste refuse to comment on trust in Lowry

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have refused to be drawn on whether they consider Michael Lowry to be trustworthy, as they engage in government formation talks with the Independent TD.

Simon Harris’s Fine Gael and Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail are negotiating with Independent TDs to form a government, with the parties’ combined seat numbers falling just shy of a majority following the general election.

The Regional Independent 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.”

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.”

Mr Martin added that he had to be “very careful” about what he said in the context of the file being sent to the DPP.

“I have to be mindful of the independence of the DPP and the gardaí, 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.”

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have yet to formally meet the regional group, with Mr Harris commenting: “Who is a part of that group is a matter for them and obviously who negotiates for them is a matter for them.”

Also speaking at the youth science event, the Fine Gael leader said he did not want to “cut across” any potential process arising out of the file being sent to the DPP.

However, he told reporters that the possible involvement of Mr Lowry in the negotiations would not undermine the formation of the next government.

Mr Harris said: “We’re not engaging with individual Independent deputies, we’re engaging blocs that have come forward in the Dáil.”

Asked if he considered Mr Lowry to be trustworthy, the Taoiseach said: “The people of Ireland decide who is elected to Dáil Éireann.”

Pressed on his personal view, Mr Harris added: “On a personal level, I respect the mandate that every individual member of Dáil Éireann has.”

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

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