Kenny's NYC Photo-Op Leads To Controversy

Images of Taoiseach Enda Kenny taken at the New York Stock Exchange during his recent visit to the United States, have led to a storm of controversy in Ireland.

Among the large group of smiling business people who were spotted alongside Mr Kenny as he rang the opening bell at the NYSE, was billionaire businessman Denis O'Brien.

Mr O'Brien is one of Ireland's richest men, with huge telecommunications businesses in Ireland and around the world, particularly the Caribbean.

He also has significant media interests, including owning several radio stations in Ireland, including the national independent stations Today FM and Newstalk.

He is currently battling Tony O'Reilly for control of Independent newspapers.

But he is also one of the most controversial figures in Ireland, because the long-running Moriarty Tribunal into payments to politicians delivered a stinging criticism of him when it reported last year.

Mr O'Brien's company Esat Digifone was awarded Ireland's second mobile phone license in the mid-90s.

Denis O'Brien netted a personal fortune of over 317 million euro when he sold-on the business a few years later.

Justice Moriarty found that then Communications Minister Michael Lowry, effectively delivered the license to Mr O'Brien, after receiving a payment of $50,000 from him.

Mr O'Brien has strongly rejected the tribunal's findings against him, and no criminal charges have ever been brought against him.

But his presence alongside the Taoiseach at the New York function has raised eyebrows, coming, as it did, almost a year to the day after the tribunal reported.

The New York event was not the first high profile public appearance of Denis O'Brien since the tribunal's report.

He was invited to take part in the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle in November, and last year was a guest alongside Queen Elizabeth at a celebration concert at the Dublin Convention Centre organized to mark her visit.

Fianna Fail, while dealing with the fallout from a separate inquiry into planning corruption in Dublin, has used the example of O'Brien to highlight the links between other parties and big business.

And many of the public are wondering if there are any consequences at all for high profile figures against whom adverse findings are made by tribunals.

The connections with O'Brien caused tensions in government with two senior Labour Party figures calling for the invitations to Mr O'Brien to be withdrawn in future.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin "said there should be a consequence for those well-known people, or not, against whom adverse findings are adduced by a tribunal of inquiry."

The Taoiseach, just back from a trade mission to China, said that the issue of invitations to the Global Economic Forum would be examined.

"The Government will reflect on what it does for any future forums."

Speaking about his visit to the New York Stock Exchange and Mr O'Brien's presence at that event, the Taoiseach said he did not issue the invitations.

He said: "Was I supposed to stay outside the door and say, Sorry I can't go on this platform."

And he added: "Or if I find myself at a Connacht final and find myself two seats away from former Minister Flynn, what I am to do, get up and walk out?"

"I accept invitations as Taoiseach to attend particular functions. I do not vet, and cannot and won't be in a position to vet the lists of those who attend."