Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

Third, on 7 February 2001 and on 28 May 2001, the Minister made it clear that he was not against the principle of a public inquiry, but that he had to be guided by legal advice to avoid prejudicing civil and criminal proceedings. I need hardly spell out to the House what the reaction of the Members opposite would have been had the Minister pushed ahead on their say so, and had such action subsequently led to the collapse of a criminal trial.

For the avoidance of any doubt, and in order to dispel the myths, half truths and self-serving comments of Deputy Howlin and Deputy Higgins, I wish to recall for the benefit of the House the words of the Minister during a debate on an earlier Morris report, 17 June 2005. The Minister stated:

I want also to refute in the strongest possible terms the politically motivated and mischievous suggestions made that I in any way was opposed to or hindered the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry in this case. The facts speak for themselves and belie these malevolent suggestions.

The Minister made it clear that he was never against the principle of a public inquiry. However, he had legal constraints and due process had to be taken into account, as he outlined.

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