Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I assure the House and both Deputies that I have the height of regard for the Office of the Ombudsman and the work it does. I have no difficulty defending the Department and I also have no difficulty accepting that either I or the Department is wrong if that happens to be the case. In this instance, the Department has clearly stated that it was scrupulous in administering the scheme. Each applicant was treated fairly, and the Ombudsman accepts this contention. She states in the report that she has no evidence to suggest that this was not the case and she accepts the Department's assurances on this point. That is very important. It is not just a case of defending the Department. What the Ombudsman says in that regard is very clear. Where there are differences of opinion, they relate to conditions of the scheme. I hold a strong view about the closing date and conditions of schemes generally; it is not just the Department's view.

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