Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

We are seeing a total turnaround by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and the Minister for Finance. In September 2009, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, indicated that legislation would be required and that a ministerial order would not be sufficient. Last July, the Minister for Finance said that amending legislation would be required. In the case of the DIRT inquiry, special legislation was required so that the Committee of Public Accounts and the Comptroller and Auditor General could review past decisions. What advice did the Minister receive last September and on what advice was the Minister for Finance acting when he wrote to Deputy Allen in July 2009? Is it different advice from what the Minister received yesterday?

See this speech in context