Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I wish to make a similar point in support of not taking this legislation today in view of its timing. It has been said in recent days by a succession of Ministers when asked about the timing of it that this Bill made no reference to and had no import on tribunals currently in existence. I draw the attention of the House to an amendment in the name of each member of the Fine Gael Party that would have the effect of ensuring that this legislation did not have effect until such time as the tribunals currently in existence and with work under deliberation would have that work programme completed and dealt with and would have reported to this House.

It seems that there is something sinister afoot and that this legislation is being brought forward between now and Christmas with a view towards ensuring that this House reflects a big stick approach against those engaged in the tribunal. These tribunals were set up by orders of this House, as voted upon. They were given certain terms of reference and told to set about doing the work that perhaps in other circumstances would have been done by this House. This House chose not to do that work. It chose to vest certain powers in tribunals and now legislation is being introduced that will allow the Government a draconian power, in the form of a sanction by resolution of this House, and given that our parliamentary democracy is such that the Government will have a majority, that the Government, a Minister or the Taoiseach, at the stroke of a pen, can not only suspend but dissolve in its entirety a tribunal of inquiry set up by this House. We believe this is fundamentally unjust and unfair. We ask that this legislation not be taken until such time as the Mahon tribunal in particular has concluded its business and reported to this House, which is what we asked it to do.

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