Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There has been a deliberate attempt by members of the committee, who know very well who they are, to undermine its work. Much of it is pathetic. We issued invitations to people but perhaps they feel the weight of their argument is not sufficient or they feel unable to articulate it. There were some fairly eminent people on the list who pulled out who I know are more than capable of holding their own in the cut and thrust of debate, but if they felt their arguments would not stand up in the face of the facts and felt unable to come in, we did enough in issuing the invitation. If it is the view of the committee that another chance should be given to people to present an alternative view, I would not object. However, I am not necessarily convinced we need an alternative view. What we have heard very clearly are the facts. As was pointed out previously, there is not really an alternative to the facts because they are the facts.

I echo Deputy Smith's points in relation to the Chairman. No member of the committee who takes his or her work seriously, attends meetings and pays attention to what is happening would in any way, shape or form accuse our Chairman of bias. It is not fair. The Chairman enjoys the support of the vast majority of the members of the committee.