Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Kenny has just displayed his incapacity to look objectively at any aspect of this issue. We need people with expertise who will objectively assemble the facts and on the basis of those facts enable the Oireachtas to deal with them and to come forward with whatever recommendations they wish based on whatever proceedings are proposed in the appropriate Oireachtas committee. That is what needs to be done.

In regard to the Deputy's attack on me, I have no problem with co-operating with an inquiry. Every Member of this House will assist in whatever way he or she is required to do in looking at the background to and causes of the banking crisis. I am no exception and I will willingly and fully co-operate in that respect. The point I have made is that the Government has decided, in the interests of not cutting across existing investigations, to utilise a proven means of investigation. Only last December the Deputy stood in this Chamber praising the commission of investigation procedure in terms of how it did its work on another important matter of public interest. That commission was able to uncover problems that were hidden in this society for decades. There is the capacity under that system to appoint people of expert ability to deal with these matters. All the documents that will emerge from this process will be available for public and Oireachtas scrutiny and further consideration and work by the latter as it sees fit. That is the way to proceed, namely, in a timely way that is cost effective and that will ensure matters will be dealt with properly and appropriately. We will take it from there. It is the Government's belief that that is the way we should proceed.

See this speech in context