Fianna Fáil puts pressure on Taoiseach to explain Lowry ‘deal’
FF calls for details of any deal to be made public
FIANNA Fáil has called on Fine Gael to publish details of an alleged secret agreement with disgraced TD Michael Lowry.
A party spokesperson said any agreements should be put in the public domain.
‘Any previous arrangements Fianna Fáil had with Mr Lowry were published in full. We’re calling for any other agreements Mr Lowry made [for supporting the Government] to also be published in full in the interest of transparency,’ he said.
In an exclusive interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday yesterday the independent Tipperary TD, who was last week convicted of failing to file correct taxes, claims he had an unwritten agreement with Enda Kenny in exchange for supporting his government – and negotiated a €50million investment in exchange for supporting the current Government.
Mr Lowry alleges he has made the second agreement with the current Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar. The Dáil deputy said that this followed on from agreements he had to support three former taoisigh.
Mr Lowry said that he had written agreements with both Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen detailing the conditions of his support for their governments.
However, he says that the agreement with Enda Kenny was unwritten and there is no physical record of it.
‘I was very conscious of the fact that if there was any written agreement, or any written proposals, that they’d be used politically against the government and I didn’t want that.
‘I was happy to have access to the mechanics of government, to ministerial offices, to ministerial secretaries, and to be able to put forward a rational and reasonable argument for whatever projects were worthy of consideration,’ he said.
With the current Taoiseach, Mr Lowry says he has given unconditional support in the interest of political stability.
He said Leo Varadkar phoned him seeking his support in the nomination to be Taoiseach.
‘I was on my way to Austin Deasy’s funeral. On my way down to the funeral I received a phone call from Leo Varadkar, and in the phone call Leo Varadkar said to me: “As you know, I’m trying to form a minority government. You’re an elected representative with a mandate and a vote in Dáil Éireann and I’d like you to consider me for the vote,’ he said.
Mr Lowry told the Taoiseach: ‘Leo you’re getting my vote and it’s unconditional. It’s unconditional and we need stability and I’m happy to support you.’
But in exchange Mr Lowry got access to ministers – and credits that with securing a €50million investment for South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel, in the heart of his constituency.
‘Arising from the representations we made, we now have €50million investment in the hospital in Clonmel,’ he said. The Moriarty Tribunal found it is ‘beyond doubt’ that Michael Lowry imparted substantial information to Denis O’Brien which was ‘of significant value and assistance to him in securing the [mobile phone] licence’ for Esat Digifone.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said: ‘Any previous agreements are a matter for the parties concerned. The Taoiseach has no detail on it. As stated over the weekend, and as Deputy Lowry has confirmed, the Deputy neither laid down any conditions nor sought any concessions linked to his general support for the Government.
‘There is no formal agreement with him, written or otherwise. Along with other independent TDs who broadly support the Government, he often raises constituency issues with ministers or the Taoiseach’s office and we will work on them where they are good policy and make sense, as is the case with any good policy.
‘Clonmel is one of around 12 hospitals where capacity is being increased and has a major overcrowding problem in winter. It should be noted that Deputy Lowry has voted against the Government on ten occasions including on the Road Traffic Bill, so his support is general,’ he said.
Negotiated a €50m investment ‘There is no formal agreement’