Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I accept from Deputy Penrose's contribution that he does not have issues with the PIAB. I welcome his comments and, as I said in my response on Second Stage, I accept his bona fides. I do not see him as approaching the subject with a vested interest at all. I understand and value the point he made but the question of the exception becoming the rule is the problem we face as we attempt to close off a loophole.

I will pose the same question to Deputies Penrose and Charles Flanagan. Why should a process that at the moment costs €50 cost €1,500? Why should we preside over that? Senator O'Toole made the point very elegantly in the other House when he asked that question. It would be the exact same service involving no additional benefits.

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