Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the report make recommendations in regard to political accountability? It is the Taoiseach's duty and requirement under the Public Service Management Act 1997 to have political responsibility vested in Ministers to regularise matters in situations where some illegal activity is clearly taking place. When this report is published, does the Taoiseach intend to take action against the Minister, Deputy Martin, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Callely and Tim O'Malley? If these persons did nothing during their time in the Department of Health and Children about the situation whereby hundreds of thousands of people had payments illegally taken from them by the Government, is the Taoiseach prepared to stand up and be decisive in terms of his requirement as Taoiseach?

Will he see to it that the leaders of the Opposition parties are given a copy of this report this evening so that we can question him tomorrow morning in the Dáil before he departs for five weeks? The Taoiseach's communications unit, which costs €300,000 per year, either did not see this on the front pages of the newspapers or has advised the Taoiseach that it may be appropriate that he absent himself from the House for that length of time.

See this speech in context