Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I want to place very clearly and unambiguously on the record that in my two and a bit years on this committee I have never been contacted by a Government Minister regarding questions I have asked, reports I have sought or any matter I have raised in this committee. I have formed my own opinion on this matter, which I have expressed in this room independent of any member of Government and my fellow members of the PAC. Any inference that any other forces are seeking to influence my opinion is utterly incorrect and untrue. As other people do, I take my responsibilities on this committee with the utmost seriousness and my independence in that regard is respected by everyone in my party and across Government. For the impression to be created, as it has been in the last number of minutes, that the contrary is true, is something I refute firmly.