Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I am conscious that the Minister has no wish to interfere with the workings of the tribunal and I accept that wholeheartedly. However, does he consider that the tribunal represents value for the taxpayer? In his reply, the Minister states some €6.3 million of taxpayers money has already been expended, but the tribunal has not sat for one day in public session. Does the Minister consider that five years of a tribunal without one public hearing and with expenditure of €6.3 million represents an expeditious route towards dealing with the investigation? How has it spent five years without one public hearing?

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