Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

We are now told he is to refer it to the Comptroller and Auditor General. My understanding is that this requires an order to be made by the Minister for Finance to add the DDDA to the list of bodies that are covered by the Comptroller and Auditor General under the 1993 Act. Can the Tánaiste tell us when that order will be made? Why, if that is the conclusion that has been reached by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has it taken five months for him to come to that conclusion?

I also wish to ask about the bank inquiry. Deputy Burton asked about this yesterday and on Tuesday. We are told the two initial reports, from the Governor of the Central Bank and the external group, will be completed by 31 May. Will the Tánaiste confirm to the House that the report will be published before 31 May? Given that the terms of reference for the subsequent statutory commission of investigation are to be based on those two reports, what arrangements will be made in the House for the report to be considered and the terms of reference?

Finally, I wish to ask about the by-elections. The Electoral Representation (Amendment) Bill was voted down yesterday by the Government. We have had a number of proposals to move the writ for by-election; this was moved by the Opposition and voted down by the Government. Has the Government given any consideration to the case of Dudley v. an Taoiseach, which was taken to the High Court-----

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