Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach has always cited official advice given to him in respect of the policy decisions that were made. The draft terms of reference exclude the motivation behind those policy decisions and the official advice that was given. The preliminary reports make sharp criticisms of some Government policies, such as the dramatic growth in spending between 2004 and 2007, which was the current Taoiseach's decision. The extension of tax reliefs at the height of the property bubble in 2006 was also his decision. He also exercised influence, as Minister for Finance, on the Financial Regulator in 2006 so that the proposed tightening of the quality of governance of bank directors was never actually implemented.

In view of the fact that the Taoiseach has always accepted responsibility for his decisions as Minister in whatever Department, and that he claimed to have relied on official advice for these policy decisions, would it not be important for him that we ascertain that through the commission of inquiry? The terms of reference for the commission of inquiry should cover this period and should cover these matters, so that we can rectify any deficiencies. Was the Taoiseach, acting then as Minister for Finance, given faulty or inadequate information and advice by these officials on whose advice he claimed to have relied? If that is not the case, the nightmare scenario is to have the Taoiseach of the day giving evidence about his decisions as Minister for Finance which will be publicly contradicted by officials in the Department from whom he took his advice in the first place.

This is an important matter. Either there is a distinction here that is right or wrong. The officials either gave him advice or they did not. Is the Taoiseach prepared to extend the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry so that we can ascertain whether official advice was responsible for these reckless policy positions, or whether the official advice was not to take those positions, yet he still went ahead with them?

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