Mary Lou McDonald's standing over her decision to name alleged tax dodgers in the Dail.
The Sinn Fein deputy leader was criticised by the Dáil's disciplinary committee yesterday which said she's abused her parliamentary privilege when she named 6 former politicians last December who a whistleblower had claimed held offshore accounts at Ansbacher bank.
In a statement today Mary-Lou McDonald says she stands over her decision to to exercise her constitutional right to privilege, saying she did so in "good faith and in the matter of public interest."
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh says the committee is politically biased against her.
“I suspect that the CPP, Given that it’s loaded from a government point of view and that the charge was made against her initially by Fianna Fail,” he said, speaking on the Last Word on Today FM.
“At the CPP meeting I anticipate that they will move a motiono0f censure against her, and that’s basically as much as the CPP can do,” he added.
Here is the statement in full:
“On 3rd December 2014, I exercised my constitutional right to privilege in the Dáil to give voice to very serious allegations made in respect off-shore accounts and political obstruction. The source of these allegations is a briefing dossier prepared by authorised officers who are both reputable and credible.
“I set out for the Committee on Procedure and Privileges in very clear terms my reasons for exercising my Dáil privilege which was in good faith and the public interest. However, I have received from them only dismissive responses.
“I have written to the Taoiseach on the allegations contained in the dossier calling on him to examine the matters fully. It is inconceivable that the Taoiseach and the government have not moved to institute an investigation and serve the interests of the Irish people fully.
“I exercised my constitutional right of privilege in good faith and in the matter of public interest.”
