Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Deputy is correct. At first glance, the summary of the report contains serious implications for the way politics is done in this country and particularly for the interaction between politics and business. I am proud that the programme for Government seeks to address these issues in the most comprehensive way ever in the history of this House. It addresses not only the way Ministers interact with civil servants, but also the way they interact with business. The matter of corporate donations is provided for in the report. Of course, a great many changes have taken place since that time in the matter of independent scrutiny of decisions such as this. The establishment of the regulatory system will, I hope, obviate this kind of thing happening again.

One the Deputy's question about political donations, my memory is that Mr. O'Brien made political donations to all of the parties in the House at the time. I certainly recall my own party, the Labour Party, sending it back. It has been the practice in this country for many years that there have been corporate donations. I am happy that legislation will be brought forward by the Government to deal with this issue.

It is not helpful for the Deputy to ask me to speculate on the current position regarding unsuccessful bidders. It is not my job to give comfort to anyone outside the House watching this debate. In any event, like most Deputies, I have not had the opportunity to read the report as I received it at 3 p.m. today following a Government meeting. I need to read the report and take advice before I answer questions about any contemplated litigation or legal procedures that may follow.

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