Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The draft terms of reference that have been put forward by the Government are in line with the recommendations as set out in the reports. The Regling and Watson report referred to those issues that can be amenable to fact finding and those issues of a policy and political nature which can be dealt with through the means of the committees that we have in the House. We have indicated our preparedness to do that.

The comprehensive nature of the reports has been welcomed by everybody and we are all grateful for the work that has been done and the professionalism with which the authors have gone about their business. They set it out as they see it. The draft proposals refer to the recommendations in the areas to which the reports refer.

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