Mr. Peadar Ó Scanaill:

We recognised that multinationals or corporate bodies were around and we were being told they were buying this or that. We do not have any direct absolute evidence and even to this day some references are made to certain practices. We would have as little or as much information as members might have and this is not enough for us to make absolute statements of fact.

The Senator asked what was the catalyst and we were asked a good few times if this was possible and if parties could sell or buy in this respect. That was going on the whole time and, in fairness, it was being considered at the legislative and ethics committee. It made a recommendation and this was an effort to clarify matters. We immediately recognised this confused more than clarified matters, which is why we began the consultation process. As I said, we would love to revert to the committee nuair a bheidh sé críochnaithe and we have the report.