Seanad debates

Wednesday, 13 November 2002

Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion.

 

As the previous speaker stated, the report has been referred to the DPP which is a welcome development. However, I would caution people in respect of this issue. The DPP is entirely independent of the Minister and the Government, and rightly so. If charges are to be preferred against any of the individuals or bodies concerned, that will happen in due course. However, we should not act as judge and jury until such cases come before the courts. We should be extremely cautious about tribunal reports where, as the previous speaker indicated, a judge has to make extremely difficult decisions and reach conclusions. We ask a person to carry out an inquiry and when they issue their recommendations, we either accept them or reject them according to the political mood that is abroad. That is very dangerous. I caution Members and the public at large in respect of evidence they have not heard.

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