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Spreading sleaze crisis claims Flynn, 19 other Euro commissioners

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Andrew Bushe

DUBLIN — The sleaze crisis that has engulfed the European Union and forced the mass resignation of all 20 commissioners may lead to an early end to the political career of Padraig Flynn.

The government has refused to make a public statement about his future and Commissioner Flynn would not indicate if he was willing to carry on in the job.

"As things stand at the moment it is matter for the government and a matter for me," he said.

A damning report on mismanagement, nepotism and fraud led Monday to an en masse resignation of the commissioners.

The commissioners are in the middle of negotiating crucial budget reforms and finalizing plans for a special Berlin summit next week.

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The report contains no accusations against the former Mayo TD and social affairs commissioner.

It savages the entire eurocracy and concludes, "It is becoming difficult to find anyone with even the slightest sense of responsibility.".]

Flynn said that the "bald statement" about collective responsibility left the commission with no alternative but to resign. Because of the row about a £50,000 political donation he allegedly received 10 years ago from London-based property developer Tom Gilmartin, Flynn was unlikely to be reappointed at the end of the year.

Tanaiste and Progressive Democrat leader Mary Harney had already said Flynn’s position was "impossible."

While other countries said they would be re-nominating their commissioners, a Irish government spokesman would make no comment on Flynn’s future.

The taoiseach, tanaiste and 18 other ministers are attending St. Patrick’s Day ceremonies abroad and the spokesman said it was unlikely a decision about Flynn would be made until a government meeting scheduled for next week.

The commissioner told RTE he was not surprised by the lack of endorsement by the government in view of the fact that the taoiseach was away.

He said it was still not clear what type of interim arrangements might be put in place in Brussels following the resignations, but legally the commissioners’ retained their positions until they were replaced.

Asked if he was available to carry on in an interim capacity, Flynn said he would give his answer when the situation was clarified.

Responding to a statement from Fine Gael saying there was unfinished business between the commissioner and the Dail and, it would be inappropriate to reappointment him, even in a caretaker capacity, until that business was concluded, Flynn would not speculate on what the Flood Tribunal may decide.

Flynn has refused to clarify if he received the donation from Gilmartin and what he did with it. Gilmartin claims he gave the money to Flynn for Fianna Fail in June 1989. Flynn was party treasurer and environment minister at the time.

Fianna Fail said it did not get the money. Flynn has so far refused to clarify the matter despite written requests from the party and the Dail.

In answer to a Dail motion earlier this month, Flynn said he was constrained from making a statement because the Flood Tribunal had asked him not to do so.

Last week, the Dail asked High Court Judge Feargus Flood to clarify if Flynn is free to make a statement. His response is expected in the near future.

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