Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that the Committee of Public Accounts has generated a document that is now the subject for discussion among its members, starting later this afternoon. As that is two steps away from a report, we will see where it lands. I have no knowledge of where it might land at the end of the discussion.

In respect of the leaked document reported in the newspapers that suggests an adverse finding will be found against me, I would say that I rebut that in the strongest possible terms. I have never seen an inquiry or tribunal where an adverse finding was found against anybody on which that person was not allowed to comment. I spent five hours in there and was not compelled. I went in as a volunteer because the committee asked me. I answered everything and then I find there is an adverse finding about something, supposedly, that was never raised with me. There was a second shot at it when they looked for documentary evidence, which I provided, relevant to the meeting. When they received that they raised no question with me about it. I just do not understand what kind of legal advice was applied when this document was generated. I have written to the Chairman of the committee and pointed these things out to him. I do not think that I should get involved in a discussion on it because of that. I must wait until there is a final report.