Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Taoiseach mentioned the Standards in Public Office Commission. I am not surprised it found no prima facie case, given that the Quigley report was quite rushed in the sense that the Taoiseach asked for it to be back on his desk before the Dáil reconvened. The Standards in Public Office Commission had a long debate on the issue. I imagine the members did not all agree on the position, but the commission put a position into the public domain.

Does the Taoiseach think the investigation done was comprehensive? Is it acceptable, given that it was just dealing with procurement? It did not deal with other pertinent issues such as whether a consultant should be able to conduct fund raising for a ministerial employer or some of the issues raised somewhat obliquely in the Quigley report.

Following on previous investigations carried out by the Taoiseach, is it any wonder there is not much comfort in him saying he will vet appointments made by other Ministers? Are we to expect the Taoiseach to look up every tree in County Waterford, or wherever it happens to be——

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