Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am entirely in sympathy with the spirit of this amendment. As I stated in the earlier debate, the proposition that the Minister should be held accountable by reporting back to the committee is one with which I fully agree. I am entirely disposed towards committing to do precisely that. The advice I have is that I am able to give that commitment without it being enshrined in primary legislation. There is a number of reasons for this but primarily because this transaction is being handled at arm's length from me, for reasons everybody present will understand. I do not know the particular commercial sensitivities or the terms of the deal and all of that, but what I do know is that the fundamental point of Deputy Moynihan's amendment, namely, that I must be accountable for what happens and must report back to this committee within 12 months, is something I am willing to take on board.