Lowry attacks opposition TDs

The motion was passed by the House without a vote, but it cannot force the North Tipperary poll-topper to quit and will be a mark against his name only.

In his third address to TDs in three days, Mr Lowry called on Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to ensure any garda investigations into the inquiry’s findings be completed quickly.

“How long more am I expected to withstand this kind of scrutiny? How long more am I expected to stand up without any support or assistance to defend myself, legally, or any other way?

“I’m asking you to ensure, and the Minister for Justice to ensure, that whatever garda inquiry is to take place, that it be done expeditiously and that it be brought to an end.”

The tribunal found Mr Lowry passed classified information on the competition for the state’s second mobile phone licence to billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien’s successful bid made him his fortune and Mr Lowry, who has repeatedly rejected the conclusions, was found to have received payments worth more than €910,450 in secret off-shore transactions and loans.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan revealed last week that Criminal Assets Bureau chief officer Eugene Corcoran was examining Judge Moriarty’s findings to see if a criminal investigation was warranted.

During the two-day debate Mr Lowry spoke over two occasions for nearly an hour-and-a-half in total, attacking the tribunal, Mr Justice Moriarty and insisting he would not bow to demands for him to resign.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday announced the motion would be held without debate, but Cathaoirleach Sean Barrett allowed Mr Lowry the opportunity to speak again despite objections from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein’s Mary Lou McDonald.

Mr Barrett said there was an obligation on the house to ensure the rights of each member was protected.

But Ms McDonald branded it scandalous.

“The Deputy has been facilitated twice. Has had an hour-and-a-half at his disposal to put his position on the record. The House has heard that position,” she said.

“The House clearly does not share that view. The motion will be taken without debate and it will be quite outrageous and unacceptable to yet again give 30 minutes to Deputy Lowry.”

Bur Mr Lowry hit back, claiming he would not take a lecture from Sinn Fein.

“Deputy McDonald’s sense of natural justice, it makes me want to wretch in this house,” he said.

“Coming from somebody who is associated with atrocities, mutilation, murder on civilians and unarmed gardai.

“I’m not going to take a lecture from Deputy McDonald or from anybody in the Sinn Fein party in relation to my behaviour.”

And he took a swipe at Micheal Martin’s clean-cut image.

“Let me say it is my view that the kind of posturing taken up by the new leader of Fianna Fail, Deputy Martin, with his clean-cut Steve Silvermint image, it won’t be long for the wraps to come off that,” Mr Martin said.

“When the wraps come off, I don’t think it will be smelling of mint for either Deputy Martin or anybody of his colleagues in the party, who are so anxious to condemn me.”