Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I am pleased the Minister believes it is a fine report. It is surely time that he apologises to the House and the public on behalf of the Government for subjecting us to this sorry business. The Quigley report states that things must change and that a perception of impropriety has been given.

What conclusions are we to draw from the discovery that the contract with Monica Leech Communications, which we were told was a vital part of the Department's communications strategy, was not renewed yesterday and that the position held by Ms Leech has been scrapped? Perhaps it is easier to sack a communications executive than a Minister. Will the Minister comment on this?

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