Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, is there any chance of putting a bit in the mouth of the Minister of State and exercising a little control over him?

The tribunals have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of euro. The Government would not listen to the appeals on this issue in this House, just as the Minister of State and his colleagues would not do so tonight. How many times did Deputies, including myself, point to the astronomical fees being paid to tribunal lawyers and the need to curb their expenses? We now find that, in both the cases I have cited, half-hearted efforts are being made to close the door, long after the horse has left the stable and, in many cases, bolted the country.

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