Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of the Comptroller and Auditor General's contribution. I agree with Deputy Carroll MacNeill that it is worth testing the issue, but based on the Comptroller and Auditor General's response, are we laying down the beginnings of a precedent? By seeking permission, are we laying a precedent that we must seek permission on all occasions? Perhaps I am wrong, but the Comptroller and Auditor General seems to be suggesting that we should first seek to get the information and, if we fail at that point, we should seek permission.