Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

At that stage, he immediately reported the matter to the committee and offered to absent himself if it caused any embarrassment. I believe he acted with totally impeccable propriety regarding that matter. He acted in the interest of the Irish Prison Service and with the utmost professional integrity. The House might be interested to know that my view of him is generally shared. I note, since reference was made to it earlier today, that he was an adviser to the vendors in connection with the recent Ballsbridge site sale by Jury's Hotel Group. The man is not some neophyte; this is not a man who would blow his reputation.

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