Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

The Taoiseach is defending the Minister when he does something for which the Minister would have somebody else in court and on whom he would impose a five-year jail sentence. This is inexplicable. Is it not important that the Taoiseach answer the very strong charge that the Centre for Public Inquiry was on the tail of the Government regarding the sale of the Thornton prison site? The European Commission also feels this matter needs to be investigated. It is very serious if planning permission is not granted in respect of this site and sites close to it given that the Minister spent €30 million of taxpayers' money on a site in respect of which planning permission would not be granted under ordinary circumstances. Is it not the case that the Taoiseach does not want an investigation into this matter? Is it not the case that he can run but cannot hide and that this action will draw more heat on the Government than he would have wished for?

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