THE Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has undertaken that he will convey "a general concern" to Judge Gerard Buchanan that the Dail inquiry into the Dunnes Stores payments to politicians should get under way shortly.
He was responding to questions in the Dail yesterday from the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Ahern, who asserted that the "requisite progress" was not being made.
Mr Ahern said that he had supported moves to make progress on the matter last December on the basis that Judge Buchanan's findings would be dispatched to the sub-committee on Procedure and Privileges speedily.
It seemed reasonable, he added, that without undue interference the Taoiseach could ask Judge Buchanan when the committee might be in a position to carry out some, useful work.
Stressing that Judge Buchanan was independent in his functions, Mr Bruton said he had no doubt he would perform them as quickly as possible.
He did not expect that the committee would have a lengthy wait for the first report.
Further pressed by Mr Ahern, the Taoiseach suggested that he could convey a general concern that the matter should be brought to a rapid conclusion.
"However, I do not wish to interfere, or to be construed as interfering, in any way with the inquiries Judge Buchanan wishes to undertake over whatever length of time he deems necessary to fulfil his mandate.
"It is Important he should be given latitude to do the job as he sees fit," Mr Bruton said.
Maol Muire Tynan writes:
Meanwhile, the sub-committee of the Committee of Procedures and Privileges which will examine the Buchanan report met last night to formally elect the Labour TD, Mr Michael Bell, as chairman.
The five-strong sub-committee also agreed to appoint Mr Hugh O'Neill SC, as its legal adviser.
In addition to Mr Bell, the cross-party group consists of Mr Noel Dempsey of Fianna Fail; Mr Jim O'Keeffe of Fine Gael; Mr Des O'Malley of the Progressive Democrats and Mr Eric Byrne of Democratic Left.
The sub-committee now awaits the report of Judge Buchanan.
