Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Last week, when we debated the Labour Party's Private Members' motion on having a full and open bank inquiry, the Minister for Finance told the House he was ready to announce to it and to the public the expert wise man or wise woman who would carry out the second review as part of the banking inquiry. A week has passed and we have heard no announcement of who this expert is to be. From next Monday, there will four months left for this expert to carry out the review. Has the Government been advised of a nominated expert by the Minister for Finance? Has the Government made a decision on the expert? If not, when does the Minister for Finance and the Government expect to reach a decision and when will it be announced to the House? As the Tánaiste indicated earlier, the Minister promised there would be some discussion with the House on the matter. When will this happen because the four months will run out rapidly? I have a second question too.

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