Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Once the Oireachtas agrees to establish a commission - in this case the office of An Taoiseach is the administrative locus for the commission - there can be absolutely no interference by either the Oireachtas or the Government in the work of that commission. We received a request. The interim report suggests it is at an advanced stage and there is a reasonable prospect of it being brought to conclusion. That is my view from what has been written to me as the administrative head. Therefore, we have written to all the relevant people outlining the decision to grant the recent request for a further extension until 31 October of this year. If that had not been granted, it would have had the effect of dissolving the commission with no findings to show or no return on the substantial costs to date, which run to €9.6 million. We would have no return for those costs or any additional costs that would occur but are not yet paid.