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

I agree with the thrust of those comments. Obviously, the cost of any inquiry is a matter of concern and anything that amounts to a blank cheque book for legal firms or lawyers must be avoided. However, it is important that the committee makes it clear that the issues under consideration must be fully investigated because potentially serious questions in respect taxpayers' money arise from the serious matters the judge was asked to investigate. There should not be an impression that issues surrounding potential costs of the commission were being used in any way or for any purpose to block a full and thorough investigation. However, it is a good idea to make inquiries and ensure that legal costs, caps, per diemrates and so forth are in full view and under the surveillance of this committee. It is a fair to ask that. Nevertheless, it is an absolute imperative that each of the deals under consideration, most notably that involving Siteserv, is fully investigated. We should not be, nor should we be perceived to be, throwing up a further road block in achieving a full investigation of those matters.