Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Kenny on the necessity for briefing on the issue of the Government's response at the European Council in respect of the Lisbon treaty. I attended a meeting this week of leaders of Labour and Social Democratic Parties throughout the 27 member states, including a number of Heads of Government. There was some speculation as to what the elements of the Taoiseach's response might be at the Council meeting, whatever the basis for that speculation. The speculation was on matters new to me. There is, therefore, a necessity for briefing on the issue.

This House established the Moriarty tribunal in September 1997. Under its terms of reference, it is required to report directly to the House through the Clerk of the Dáil. Members will be aware that on Sunday, The Sunday Times carried a report that two newspapers in this jurisdiction were threatened with court injunctions last weekend if they published material reported to be contained in the draft report of the Moriarty tribunal. I understand that one newspaper had to pulp a large number of copies of its newspaper that had already been printed.

Yesterday, a second newspaper, based in Britain, suggested that the Government was concerned about certain findings in the draft report and that this could entail a further battle through the courts between the Government and the tribunal. The House is currently awash with rumours about what may be contained in the draft report and about what is going on. Therefore, I seek clarification on some points.

First, will the Leas-Cheann Comhairle inform us whether any communication has been received from the tribunal by the House as to when the final report will be published? Has he any information as to what is going on? Will the Tánaiste inform us whether the Government collectively, or any individual Members of it, have seen draft sections of the report? Is it true the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources issued a statement to some newspapers on Friday night to the effect——

See this speech in context