Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am under a time constraint, unfortunately, as I have to be elsewhere at 11.30 a.m. I referred to the incident in question only because it had been raised by Deputy Mary Lou McDonald. My perspective, looking in at it, is that in the context of the extraordinary economic crisis facing the country, it is vital that the committee - the flagship committee of the Oireachtas in terms of its role in scrutinising public expenditure - go about its work in a co-operative way. After almost 30 years in the Oireachtas, I have learned that there is a way of proceeding in these matters which does not seem to have been followed in this instance. I refer to the discordant incident at the beginning of Tuesday's meeting. That is just my personal perspective and I will say no more about it. I agree that the meeting was subsequently very good.

I look forward to having open, frank and sometimes, I am sure, discordant conversations at the committee as we map our way through the very difficult task we face. I thank the Chairman for the courtesy he has shown me and my officials.