Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

——and to guarantee their costs even if they choose not to co-operate with the tribunal or abide by its orders. That would be wholly wrong and I will not do it.

It is a matter of profound regret to me that for one reason or another these issues should continually arise in this House. I want to make it clear that I will not change my mind. It would be grossly unfair of me to change my mind at this stage, having taken a stance against others on exactly the same territory. The tribunal's work is far too important for me to interfere in a manner which could very easily be characterised as grossly arbitrary, having said to some people, including garda witnesses and people who have since resigned or been dismissed from the Garda Síochána that I would not pay their costs in advance.

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