Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank you, Chairman, for presiding over these proceedings in a very professional, calm and measured way. I totally reject any suggestions that either you or the committee was in any way biased in any stage of the proceedings. I thank my fellow committee members and the staff for giving of their time. I thank all the witnesses who appeared before the committee.

I regret that there was definitely some imbalance in the witness presentation as people from one particular side of the argument, for reasons of their own, chose not to appear before us. They have their reasons and I respect that. Ultimately it was their decision; the forum was here for them. On a personal level I came into this committee quite open-minded. I did not have a settled position coming in here. I was open to every input from witnesses on all sides. I regret that through illness I missed some important sessions. For instance, I regret that I missed Professor William Binchy's contribution.