John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of having the witnesses here is not to make statements. We will have our own debate afterwards on the evidence that has been produced. We have witnesses here and the purpose of the session is to question them, interrogate them and extract the information we want. At subsequent meetings we will try to decide on policy responses, recommendations and so forth, but the purpose of today's session is to have witnesses make a presentation and to question them. Deputy Durkan made a number of statements. I will now afford the witnesses the opportunity to respond. After that it is Deputy Funchion.