Lenihan's cross-party crisis plan vetoed by Taoiseach
Monday July 27 2009
THE Government considered forming a high-powered cross-party group to help oversee the management of the banking crisis, the Irish Independent can reveal.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan wanted a special committee comprising himself, Fine Gael's Richard Bruton and Labour's Pat Rabbitte to ensure that special steps in the national financial emergency were considered by a trust of political talent.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen -- who had rejected calls for a national government -- vetoed the suggestion of a limited committee.
The triumvirate idea was notable for its exclusion of Labour deputy leader -- and finance spokesperson -- Joan Burton, in favour of former party leader Pat Rabbitte, the party spokesman on justice.
Ms Burton shares a constituency with Mr Lenihan in Dublin West. The pair regularly engage in Dail spats at question time as she shadows the minister's portfolio.
Mr Rabbitte, asked about the national committee idea, conceded it had been floated in vague terms -- but was anxious to point out that he is not the source of its public revelation.
"I have often had discussions with him (Mr Lenihan), because I have contributed to every debate on the banking crisis," Mr Rabbitte said.
"He did, in my presence, talk about some element of oversight -- but it never went further than that."
But there was no sounding-out of Richard Bruton, who is the spokesman on finance and deputy leader of Fine Gael.
Mr Bruton said: "He (Mr Lenihan) has sounded in Dail as if he were encouraging Mr Rabbitte, all right, but there was never any such approach to me."
Forum
But Mr Bruton warned: "Some form of cross-political forum is going to arise in the context of NAMA."
Mr Lenihan has, meanwhile, emphasised that he is publishing the new legislation on the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) -- due within days -- to obtain the input of other parties in particular.
The legislation will be sent to the relevant opposition spokespersons, as is normal. It will also be made available on the Department of Finance website at the end of this week, or in the very first days of August.
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
