Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies for their contributions on the Third Interim Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments. I repeat that the Government has always fully co-operated with the workings of the tribunal and has acted to ensure that it is thoroughly and comprehensively resourced to do its work. Deputies will agree that it is in everybody's interest that all the facts surrounding allegations of corruption are revealed. Establishing the truth of what took place in the past is essential if we are to restore public confidence in the system and in ourselves, as public representatives. It is necessary to ensure that allegations and rumours do not continue to circulate because they affect those of us who are innocent of wrongdoing.

We all agree that the third interim report is a valuable contribution. It is clear in its comments and comprehensive and unequivocal in its findings on George Redmond. Several Deputies suggested that the Government has been mean in providing resources for the tribunal. This is a most unfair allegation which I utterly repudiate. The Government has responded positively to all requests from the tribunal for resources.

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