Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Some of the earlier extensions related to the fact that Mr. MacEntee sought additional information which, in many cases, he obtained. The position relating to the most recent interim report is different because he stated that the commission of investigation has completed its investigative task and that the further period is required to deal with the final mandatory statutory stages of the investigation. Mr. MacEntee also indicated that the commission is bringing its investigation to an end in accordance with the provisions of Part 5 of the Commissions of Investigation Act. The latter sets out a number of steps to be completed prior to the submission of the final report — which will lead to the commission being wound up — and these include sending drafts of the relevant sections of the report to people who are identified in the report and hearing their observations, administrative arguments relating to the winding up of the commission and the transfer of its archive to the specified Minister. I have accepted Mr. MacEntee's view that he needs time to comply with the steps to which I refer.

As the House is aware, Mr. MacEntee sought eight extensions to the original timeframe. On each occasion he informed me that additional time was required for him to deal properly and thoroughly with the issues under investigation by him. It seems clear from his interim report that he has uncovered important information relating to his terms of reference. I do not know how voluminous that information is but it is correct that we should grant him the time required to conclude his work.

We have granted an extension to 13 March. I expect to receive the final report at that time, if not exactly on that day. It is my intention to publish that report as soon as possible but, as I stated in the reply, I must consider certain issues prior to publication which arose in the other reports as well where we would have to get legal advice. I must submit it to the Cabinet as well. On the timescale, I hope it will not take too long but I cannot make a judgment on that until we see what is in his report.

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