Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I raised this matter on a number of occasions with the Taoiseach. This issue convulsed the country and it seems the Government has deliberately contrived to hold over the Sullivan report until there is no opportunity for the House to debate it. People outside this House have a genuine difficulty in appreciating why an issue which caused such tumult in the country cannot be discussed in the Dáil before the summer recess.

I notice it is all over the newspapers this morning and that the Taoiseach was able to tell us the essence of the report as long ago as last Wednesday. This is in keeping with what happened to the electronic voting report, where it was passed to the Minister, either knowingly or otherwise, or perhaps because he was one of the affected parties against whom adverse findings were made. I do not know the rationale.

The Taoiseach had the report and was able to tell us last Wednesday what is in it. His spin doctors were able to tell whatever journalist is covering the story for this morning's newspapers what is in it. However, it is deliberately contrived that it will be published to the Members of this Dáil after the Order of Business. That is not acceptable.

I propose that, as the House is to conclude business on No. 14a at 4 p.m., the Minister for Finance agree to permit at least one hour for preliminary statements to be made in the House on the Sullivan report and that Question Time be taken after that.

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