Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on the Bill and the welcome change it proposes. The people will be able to decide whether they want to change their Constitution to ensure the Oireachtas is given powers of inquiry. As other Senators have stated, it will rebalance the power deficit between the Legislature and the Executive. The people will be consulted, an important factor at a time when, according to some, there is a democratic deficit and people do not feel involved with their local and national representative bodies. From this point of view I welcome the Bill. The Minister has championed this cause for many years. It is appropriate that he be the person to steer this and related legislation that is to be published soon through the Parliament.

I have listened to the contributions of Members from both sides. While I share some of their concerns, I welcome the amendment because we will be well able to step up to the challenge. However, I am concerned about committee members speaking out of turn and inciting defamation court cases by impugning people's good names. According to the Oireachtas Library's documentation on this Bill, the Supreme Court was particularly concerned about members of the Abbeylara sub-committee commenting openly in the media prior to and during that inquiry. This concern was raised a number of times during the Dáil's consideration of this Bill. It can be addressed so that members will take the situation seriously. Committee members will be well briefed and supported in their work.

Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I was a member of the Committee of Public Accounts during the previous Dáil. The committee never divided, as its members worked together to deal with the business before them. They were supported ably by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The committee's work under various chairpersons stands to its reputation. It is a leading light of the Parliament. It does its work without fear or favour. I hope and expect this approach will be taken by other committees. The Minister is well aware of the potential pitfalls, but we should all embrace this opportunity.

In my experience, the Committee of Public Accounts takes its business seriously. The Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions will also step up to the plate and perform its duties in a way worthy of the electorate.