Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have no intention of introducing any divisiveness whatsoever in regard to this or any other matter. It is a matter for the Oireachtas to order its own business. The Dáil and Seanad dealt with the report in question by way of statements of 4 February and 18 February, respectively. On 3 March, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food rejected a motion brought before it. Having regard to the statements in this House and the Seanad, I am satisfied the Oireachtas has fulfilled its responsibility to consider the special report. I have stated this on a number of occasions.

With respect, I do not accept the argument made. The report has been discussed in the Dáil and Seanad. I refer again to the initial statement by the Ombudsman at the time the report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas when she invited them to consider the report and to take whatever action they deemed appropriate. I am satisfied the Oireachtas has fulfilled its responsibility in this regard by dealing with the report in the way that it did.

See this speech in context