Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Since I was mentioned in public by the Minister, in what was an unbelievable statement, I would like to clarify the situation. In relation to the October date, we had a private meeting of this committee and went back and looked for a date before that. This is why we are sitting here today. We had a private meeting of the committee and I raised the fact that I was not happy with an October meeting because I did not believe it was appropriate. We had a private meeting of the committee and we went back to the Minister's office. That is why we are sitting here on a Friday. It is the morning of the Fine Gael think-in but I am still here. I have no issue with clarifying that information.

While the Minister is clarifying matters, he might also clarify why his opening statement only arrived at 8.31 a.m. Why did we only get his opening statement half an hour before our meeting? That is totally inappropriate and has never happened before.