Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy said, the commission of investigation is set up under the relevant Act and it can decide to meet in public in whatever way it wishes. I have no problem dealing with these matters in any way that enables me to deal with my public duties and discharge them publicly. I am accountable to this House on a daily basis for every decision I have made both now and in the past. I have no problem in regard to any of these matters as to how the commission wishes to proceed and I will facilitate all of that without any difficulty in terms of how I deal with my responsibilities. The commission of investigation is set up under the Act. It determines how it proceeds and I will comply with any procedure that arises. There is no problem on my part.

The interaction between the Department, the Central Bank, the regulator and all the rest is a part of the scoping exercise that will be conducted by the Central Bank governor and the independent expert. Arising out of and based on the conclusions that will come from those reports, terms of reference will be decided upon by the Oireachtas. Whatever emerges and has to be investigated, the Government and every one of its members will facilitate, assist and co-operate in every way possible. We are obliged to do that anyway. I have no problem whatever with that. The continuing political charge that the Deputy makes that in some way-----

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