Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

My officials were not able to contact me this morning because I was at a Government meeting and that is why there was a delay in informing Deputy Burton of these matters. It is not fair either to me or my officials to hold us to blame for that. As soon as they could contact me they asked me if I wished the information to be released and I stated to do so immediately. There is no question of trying to conceal information from Deputy Burton.

With regard to the life insurance companies, there is no significance to this other than that the regulator rightly believed that there should be comprehensive machinery available to the Oireachtas in this matter were any difficulties to arise. There is no suggestion that any difficulties have arisen in this regard. A number of other points were made but I have covered the main points of substance made by Deputies and I will try to assist them as much as I can on Committee Stage also.

See this speech in context