Micheal Martin has hit out at Culture Minister Josepha Madigan’s involvement in the Maria Bailey case.
The Fianna Fail leader said there was “a fair degree of murkiness” when she advised the TD about taking on the Dean Hotel after she fell off the infamous swing in Sophie’s.
He is calling on Ms Madigan to come clean and fully explain her role in the whole affair.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed last night the minister was involved in the early stages of Ms Bailey’s action when she brought her case before the Personal Injuries Assessment Boardfirst.
Mr Martin told reporters in Glenties, Co Donegal, last night that Ms Madigan has more questions to answer.
He said: “I think there has been a fair degree of murkiness about that.
“The degree of Josepha Madigan’s involvement should be fully transparent and should be clarified.”
Mr Martin was speaking after it emerged Mr Varadkar has sacked Ms Bailey as chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee. The Taoiseach is punishing the Dun Laoghaire TD over her role in “swing-gate”.
He added: “It is clear to me, that Deputy Bailey made numerous errors of judgment in her handling of this matter from the outset, during and even after she’d withdrawn the case.”
Ms Bailey said: “I regret very much that I took the case. I made no attempt to mislead.
“I recognise and regret the difficulties this issue caused for the Taoiseach and my colleagues during the recent elections.”
