Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will go over my response again because I know there was quite an amount of noise when I began my reply. We should not discount what the sole member of the commission, Mr. Paddy McEntee SC, stated in his report and his requirement for more time. He states that on 11 January he received an offer of a meeting with certain entities whose assistance and co-operation he had been assiduously seeking for some considerable time. He believes there is a likelihood one or more of these entities has in their custody evidence, documentation or information relevant to the specific matters covered by the terms of reference of his investigation. He states in his letter to me that he is satisfied were the commission not to attempt to follow up this possible new line of investigation, it may not be available in the future. It is for that reason we gave the extension of time.

This is an important move on the part of those unspecified entities. It is a helpful move in the process and not just in terms of what Mr. McEntee is doing on the Garda investigation, the issues relating to Portland Row and the Four Courts Hotel and security individuals on the docks. It is to be hoped that this development will help to bring more clarity to the situation. For that reason, at the request of the McEntee commission, we agreed to the extension of time to allow those meetings take place.

It has come about through the efforts of this House, my raising the issue with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair, and the assiduous efforts of Mr. McEntee in making clear what he requires.

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