Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have to move on. I have one last question, if the Chairman will allow. We all have dealt with cases where situations developed which required the disclosure to be made in the normal way. We also know cases in which people make allegations that are not well grounded. This brings me back to the initial examination of the complaint and who examines it, and the degree to which a clear conclusion can be reached as to the merits, or demerits, of the complaint, in addition to being fair to both sides, which is important.

In the event of a situation emerging whereby action is required, that should be referred to the appropriate authorities as a matter of urgency. Who wishes to respond on the merits of the case in the first instance? We may have some data to refer to here as to the number of cases previously dealt with, the number of cases that were deemed not to have any merit and the number that were deemed to have merit. Have we any data to enlighten us in that regard?