Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I have stated, the independence of the tribunal is an important aspect of this issue. Therefore, it was important that the ongoing work ongoing was not compromised or put at risk. The risk of it being interrupted determined the Government's view on these matters regarding the need to keep continuity and the necessity of not being accused of interfering in any way with the tribunal. Were that to have taken place, there may have been a political charge made that the Government was interfering with the tribunal. The Government sought to ensure that it was not in any way bringing forward anything which would leave it open to that charge, because that it not our intention. As other Members have indicated, consistent with the mandate of the tribunal, we wish to see this matter concluded as quickly as possible. I have indicated that the chairman of the tribunal has suggested he hopes to have it concluded before the end of the year.

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