Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did not give serious consideration to this issue until now. I was trying to get my head around NAMA, the correspondence and many other items. I was aware that the Chairman had received requests. I have listened carefully to the discussion and I am now moved to say we should have a discussion on this matter because I have not been convinced by the arguments against doing so. The level of argument worries me. I say that reluctantly. As pointed out by Deputy Cassells, the letter from Mr. Fraser mentions that he relies on reassurances. I have tried never to be political in this committee. I would expect the Chairman to reprimand us if we are political because in doing so, we would lose all credibility in terms of our job. We have done a good job, as have previous Committees of Public Accounts. We struggle with the amount of work we have to get through.

On this matter, there are practical questions to be asked, not about any President but how money is spent. Perhaps it should have been done before now and perhaps the committee was negligent in not having examined Chapter 1 more carefully. If it came before us previously and we did not give it enough attention, what is the difficulty in giving it attention now? I do not agree that that work would have to be concluded by Tuesday next. The issues are bigger than the election, the incumbent or candidate. There are issues we should be looking at in terms of value for money. That is the purpose of this committee. If we limit ourselves to that, I am happy to do it.