Mr. David Moloney:

I thank the Deputy. Yes, absolutely. That is correct. In my capacity in front of this committee, I am acting as Secretary General of the Department on behalf of the Minister. Therefore, in that capacity, for example, there are certain constraints on what I can and cannot comment on. I cannot comment on the merits and demerits of Government policy.

I speak largely on behalf of the Minister. There have been some amendments to the Oireachtas inquiries Acts that permit me to discuss what advice has been offered in certain circumstances but, again, not in the context of commenting on the merits and demerits of policy.