Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The allocation for the Moriarty tribunal last year was €10 million and that has been reduced to €7.5 million for 2009. Does the Taoiseach not accept that if the report is to be published before the end of the year, a significant proportion of the costs will become payable next year? Does he, therefore, expect to have to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to cover these costs?

Did the Taoiseach see the reports in the newspapers that The Irish Times apparently had to junk approximately 20,000 copies because of approaches from the tribunal in respect of matters pertaining to the tribunal. Similarly, The Sunday Business Post had to address matters raised by the tribunal. Has the Government obtained additional legal advice on the possible findings of the tribunal and possible press reports on adverse findings or potentially adverse comments, perhaps in regard to public servants? Would the Taoiseach care to comment on that?

See this speech in context