Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In a fortnight we will reach the tenth anniversary of the first sitting of the Moriarty tribunal, which was 31 October 1997. During those ten years various dates were given for the expected conclusion of its business. Has the Taoiseach any idea when the Moriarty tribunal will wrap up and present its final reports? Surely, given the passage of ten years, that is something which can now be indicated.

On the subject of another tribunal, but nevertheless relevant to this question, earlier this year a team of representatives from the Mahon tribunal, the office of the Attorney General, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was established to examine the costs of the Mahon tribunal. Can the Taoiseach say if that report was presented to Government, as I assume it was? Did the findings of that team and its appraisal of costs have implications for the current and future costs of the Moriarty tribunal?

The Taoiseach will be aware that some people under investigation by the Moriarty tribunal are major tax avoiders who continue to avoid paying their fair contribution to the Exchequer through loopholes in the tax system. Some are applauded in the media and in other ways for their charitable work but they continue to refuse to pay money to the Exchequer in the form of taxes to provide for the essential services on which all of us depend in one way or another.

Taking the lessons from all the tribunals, and specifically with reference to the Moriarty tribunal, does the Taoiseach not believe legislation is now necessary to address the various abuses and means of avoidance employed by some whose status as non-resident is highly questionable at the best of times? Arising from the work of the Moriarty tribunal, should legislation be brought before the House to address these important matters?

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