The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have defended the junior environment minister, Bobby Molloy. Minister Molloy admitted that he acted improperly when approaches were made to a judge in connection with a rape case. Opposition parties have called for his resignation.
However, Mr Ahern said that while the minister had made an error, it was not a resigning matter. Mrs Harney, the PD leader, said it was an honest mistake. She said it was a human error and added that she hoped people would accept that. She said she had not yet discussed the matter with the Taoiseach, but accepted that she would do so before tomorrow's cabinet meeting.
Mr Molloy said his office had tried to find out whether Mr Justice Philip O'Sullivan had received a letter from a constituent. He said a phone call from one of his officials was mistakenly connected to the judge, rather than his secretary.
He insisted that he was not trying to influence the case, and that this was not a resigning matter. Mr Molloy apologised for "any offence caused" in the row. The judge was hearing the case of a 50-year-old Connemara father who was given an eleven-year jail sentence by the Central Criminal Court for rape.
The minister said the contact, by an official, was in response to a constituent's concern that a letter might not have been delivered, and "unfortunately" had been direct to the judge rather than the court registrar.
Earlier today, Mr Justice O'Sullivan told the court that some weeks ago he had received what he described as a "totally improper approach" in connection with this rape case, by a woman who said she represented Mr Molloy.
The woman asked the judge if he had received a letter from the accused man's sister. She also asked could the judge be telephoned at home.
Mr Justice O'Sullivan told the court that he was very surprised that someone of the status of a government minister would make such an approach. He said he wanted to make it clear that there was no question of any behind the door work - as he put it - taking place.
Brendan Howlin of Labour said it is difficult to see how either the Taoiseach or Tánaiste could consider retaining Mr Molloy in his current position.
He said Minister Molloy had crossed the dividing line that separates the executive from the judiciary. He said such a monumental error of judgement might have been forgivable had it been made by a political novice but Mr Molloy is one of the most experienced members of the Dáil who has served at cabinet level on a number of occasions.
Alan Shatter of Fine Gael said neither Mr Molloy nor any official from his office had any business contacting the judge. In a statement, Mr Shatter said the minister should have been aware that it would be completely inappropriate.
