Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt we have to be mindful of the Commission of Investigation in respect of the content of tapes. I do not think there is any proposal from Deputy Ross to stray into that territory. The difficulty we have is that the Comptroller and Auditor General can assure us in a general sense that procurement was examined and that he detected no issue but, as he said, he did not in the practicalities of the audit focus in on this particular process and this particular tender. I think we should and that we can examine these matters. We can do it in a way that is mindful and respectful of the statutory process that is under way. We have not as of yet seen the terms of reference for that inquiry but we should pursue the matter in the manner that Deputy Ross has set out. Deputy Harris made a relevant point in respect of the Prison Service. It does fall within our remit and we should examine the process of tender and the amounts of money spent. That would be a rational and necessary thing for this committee to do at this time. I do not accept that is straying necessarily into the politics of the situation. It is out there and questions have been asked around this tender. We are the committee that needs to examine that matter, so I would be very supportive of this proposal.