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

I do not think what I raised here seeks to create a Groundhog Day scenario or to second-guess last week's decision. The risk assessment is necessary and that was decided last week. I am merely pointing out that, from the start of that process, we have had an immediate and very sensitive difficulty in respect of the protections afforded to the whistleblower. He wrote to us. This has been the turn of events and we need to find some level of clarity for ourselves as a committee on where things stand for him, within the bounds of what is reasonable. All I am suggesting is that we need to establish that. It does not disrupt the appearance before the committee of the Revenue Commissioners, which is a separate issue. If we are starting our risk assessment and one of the key elements is disputed - and the dispute is not just on the subtleties of interpretation; it is as stark and fundamental a question as protections either existing or not existing - that is a problem for us. I would like us to do what we reasonably can to try and resolve that. That is all.