The Taoiseach has said he has no power to force Mr Liam Lawlor to resign from the Dail, but has warned of further action against the Dublin West TD if he fails to co-operate with the Flood tribunal.
Mr Ahern said TDs' Dail membership ail was governed by constitutional provisions, and the Government had no power to change these. Speaking on RTE Radio yesterday, he declined to call on Mr Lawlor to resign his Dail seat.
The Taoiseach said Mr Lawlor would have an opportunity to state his position in tomorrow's Dail debate, at which the Government would repeat its request to him to co-operate with the tribunal.
He repeated his criticism of Mr Lawlor's behaviour. "I made it very clear after the court case after he was sent to prison . . . I stated unequivocally, without reservation, that I completely condemn the disobedience, non-co-operation and contempt in respect of which Mr Lawlor was found guilty."
The Taoiseach said he "entirely endorsed" the sentiment of the High Court, which described Mr Lawlor's behaviour as a "disgrace" and a "scandal".
He had not spoken on the matter earlier because he did not want to prejudice the judicial process by commenting before Mr Lawlor had made a decision on an appeal. The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, faced this accusation last year over the trial of Charles Haughey, he pointed out. Mr Ahern said if Mr Lawlor failed to co-operate with the tribunal, he would not wait until next Christmas to deal with the matter.
Asked whether he had heard "rumours" about Mr Lawlor before appointing him to Dail committees, the Taoiseach replied that he had heard "a lot of rumours over the years".
The Government was determined to find out the truth "whatever it is" and to deal with the matters that arose in the inquiries. Fianna Fail was the only party to introduce written guidelines for office-holders and candidates in order to uphold the highest ethical standards in Irish public life.
Responding to renewed speculation about an early election, Mr Ahern repeated he did not intend going to the polls until summer 2002. "As far as I am concerned, there will be no election in 2001."
Ireland was "economically sound" but there were still "things to do". The Government would complete its programme. There are 45 Bills before the Oireachtas, and 15 more are due to be introduced in the coming session.
Mr Ahern ruled out any Cabinet reshuffle, but said he had under "close review" the Minister of State positions. A reshuffle of junior ministers was "more likely than not".
On abortion, he said there would be no referendum without legislation. If the Government could frame an amendment with legislation that could deal with the issue, it would "move on that". But he wasn't interested in "a referendum for a referendum's sake" that would result in division.
