Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Despite the cackle earlier when I made the point about Leaders' Questions and the Taoiseach hoovering up all the prospects of forming a Technical Group — well done — let us hope there will be enough common sense and fair play prevailing to see that Standing Order being revisited. When Deputy Kenny talks about respect for mandates, I hope that will be a universal respect here and that the Sinn Féin mandate and that of Deputy Tony Gregory will also be respected. In respect of whether a debate should be held, I have no issue with Deputy Kenny's proposal, but I wish to record at this point that I have no issue either with the nominee for the position and wish him well.

In respect of the second proposition from Deputy Burton, on behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I absolutely concur with the proposal before us. Looking at the list of Bills to be restored to the Dáil Order Paper, the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 stands out and absolutely jumps off the page. This Bill should not be restored to the Dáil Order Paper. We in Sinn Féin are calling again for it to be withdrawn by Government. We recognise — and it is important to say so — the need for spiralling costs to be tackled, but no legislation should be introduced that would hinder the work of tribunals in terms of limiting their abilities to uncover the truth. This Bill has many serious shortcomings. We have already put on record in the House repeatedly our concerns in respect of this legislation.

We have pointed out the similarities between the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 and the British Inquiries Act. The Taoiseach will recall that during Question Time we both addressed this issue in the context of the murder of Pat Finucane. The British Inquiries Act is standing in the way of the Finucane family's quest for justice. We believe the proposals contained in the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill are equally flawed. There will be a difference of opinion on that matter but there is no question that the similarities are stark. There is no way that Bill should be restored to the Order Paper at this time, as has been indicated, or in this form at any time.

I fully concur with Deputy Burton's amendment on behalf of the Labour Party and the Sinn Féin Deputies will support it. I call on the Taoiseach to accede to the request to have that obnoxious legislation removed from the list of those Bills to be restored to the Order Paper.

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