Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I move amendmentNo. 1:

In the Schedule to delete "Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage".

I am particularly conscious that in the previous Dáil the Green Party, in particular, strongly supported the position of the Labour Party with regard to the Tribunals Of Inquiry Bill. While there is a case for reforming the procedure of tribunals, it is inappropriate to put this Bill before the House at this time, particularly when the Taoiseach is due to appear before the tribunals and strong attacks were launched on them. We do not want those conducting them to feel there is a sword of Damocles hanging over the tribunals in the proper conduct of their business, regardless of how exalted the personages who appear before them are.

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