Hogan: Moriarty findings not discussed at Lowry meeting
Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry have both responded to reports that they met just days after the publication of the Moriarty Tribunal report.
Mr Lowry said he made no apologies for conducting his duties as a public representative and had a "democratic right" to represent the people of his constituency.
A statement from Minister Hogan's department meanwhile said the meeting was arranged between the Filmco firm and the Department, at the request of Mr Lowry, to discuss the issue of job protection and farm plastic regulations.
It states that the Minister saw no reason not to proceed with the meeting which was held in accordance with the Cabinet Handbook.
An official was present, with no additional matters being discussed, the statement added.
The statement said that Minister Hogan's response to the findings of the Moriarty tribunal are clear and unequivocal and are a matter of Dáil record.
Two Cabinet colleagues of Minister Hogan - Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton - today said it would have been better for the minister if the meeting, first reported in today's Irish Examiner, had not taken place.
But Minister Burton stopped short of calling on Minister Hogan to clarify exactly what was discussed.
“I have said that I think the Government does have to be conscious of how people against whom adverse findings have been made by tribunals of inquiry, how these people interact with members of the Government,” she said.
Ms Burton said she knew nothing of the background or arrangements put in place for the meeting.
Later Mr Lowry defended his right to meet ministers and hit back at Ms Burton.
“I would remind her that my rights and entitlements are not granted by her or the Government. They are granted by the people I represent under the Constitution,” he said.
Mr Lowry said he has been with a number of delegations for talks with several other Government ministers over the last year on local and national issues.
“Joan Burton would be better off to focus her attentions and do something to resolve the chaos that reigns in her own Department of Social Protection,” he said.
Mr Lowry insisted that the meeting with Mr Hogan was aimed at saving 34 jobs at the waste processing plant which were subsequently lost.
“It’s very simple. This meeting was organised in advance. The meeting did not take an hour. The meeting was constructive and to the point,” he said.
“As it turns out there was nothing the minister could do to resolve the problems.”
Mr Lowry added: “I want to make it very clear, I make no apologies for conducting my duties as a public representative. I have a democratic right to represent the people.
“I’m not worried about perception. I’m worried about facts. I had a legitimate right to have a meeting with the Minister for the Environment and I discussed an issue that was the protection of jobs – I’m entitled to do that.”
Mr Lowry declined to name the other ministers he has held talks with in the last year.
The managing director of the company present during the meeting meanwhile said there was "no impropriety".
In a statement Jack O'Reilly, MD of Filmco, said both the Minister and Mr Lowry acted in good faith, as did a number of other political figures the company met with, including former Environment Minister John Gormley.
"Mr Lowry arrived with us, left with us and was with us for the entire process," Mr O'Reilly said.
"Nothing was discussed other than matters relating to Irish waste farm plastic business."
