Sinn Féin’s justice spokesperson, Jonathan O’Brien TD, in an initial reaction to publication of the final report of the Mahon Tribunal into certain planning matters and payments, welcomed its publication.

Deputy O’Brien said that Sinn Féin is aware that many working class communities and particularly in Dublin West, had been affected by corruption in planning matters and some are still living with its consequences.

"There is no doubt that a culture of political corruption existed in the 1990s particularly, as interim reports have indicated, within the Fianna Fáil party.

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"Sinn Féin calls on the present government to implement the recommendations of the report promptly.

"Despite the findings of this tribunal and claims from the political parties involved in planning corruption, that they regret the activities of some of their members at the time, we see the current Taoiseach in the company of one of those named by the Moriarty Tribunal while representing this state at St Patrick's Day events in the United States of America.

"We also saw a warm welcome for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the recent Fianna Fáil ard fheis. Both these very recent incidents beg the question: what has really changed, especially as many of those in leadership now, were around the cabinet table at that time?

"To justify the massive resources invested in this tribunal, Justice Mahon’s recommendations must be implemented promptly and in full," he added.

(MM)