Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

This is relevant. I am suggesting what might be investigated under the terms of the commissions of investigation. The snailwatcher opposite can take full custody of, and responsibility for, his Department which has an obligation to examine these areas of major wastage. It should ask the serious question of whether they should fall within the ambit of the Commissions of Investigation Bill at some early stage to ensure that the people are not treated to a repetition of investigations after the event. That is the important point: they should not happen after the event when no one can do anything about the matter. We can complain about why and determine how it happened but we can never recover the resources lost.

The Minister of State would be well-advised to take time out and examine those matters because they fall within his Department. He is upset at not being able to race off to Parlon country or wherever else he wants to be this evening. He is petulant at being, as he sees it, unnecessarily detained in the House. He has my deepest sympathy but he is paid to be here just as we are. There is more required of Ministers and Ministers of State in terms of enthusiasm than merely racing to Áras an Uachtaráin and accepting the seal of office.

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