Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start with a general remark. It is something I wish to say and I do not care whether it is in public session or private session. I do not think the way the committee is handling this issue reflects well on it. I do not believe it is satisfactory and I do not believe the procedures have been fair. A hard copy of the draft report was circulated at our meeting on Thursday morning. A soft copy of that draft was issued later on Thursday morning, then on Friday at about 4.15 p.m. another email landed in the inbox with a significantly revised draft and a deadline of noon on Monday for amendments to be submitted. I do not believe that is a fair timeline for all of us who rely on staff and the goodwill of others to get our work done. I do not believe the time for amendments was adequate. The report itself looks rushed. I have done my best to add key amendments, as I see it. Coming here today I was aware the deputy Garda commissioner was lined up to come in but I was not sure of the sequencing, and whether we would stick at this until we finished it. I was fearful that the deputy Garda commissioner would not be brought in over the course of today's meeting. We should have a general discussion on where we are going with this, procedurally. With all due respect to everyone, we are not going to get very far in 20 minutes. What happens when we park the issue for the day?