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

I reject out of hand what Deputy Pearse Doherty has said. The aim of the process we are involved in here is to assess the evidence we heard and come to a view on it. The Bill passed Second Stage, and anyone can read the speeches I and others made on that occasion. The purpose of a scrutiny phase is for people to listen carefully to the evidence and test it. We are getting into discussion of the amendments themselves at this point, but as far as we are concerned, this is not a political game. It is about getting the right outcome for the country, for mortgage holders, and for our financial system as well. That is why the evidence that has been given has to be tested. None of the people proposing the Bill should fear their assertions being tested in an independent and time-bound manner. That is what we are suggesting. We are not trying to thwart anything, but given the significance of the issues and potential consequences that have been raised, we want the evidence to be tested. I stand over that.