Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Standing Orders are clear on the right of the House to ask for documents which are important for discussions. The Taoiseach will be aware that Fianna Fáil Members, including me, asked repeatedly for all background documents to be published before a decision should be taken to amend the terms of reference of the Smithwick tribunal. None were produced and the motion was guillotined through the Dáil and Seanad in one day. We had asked for it to be delayed. We had asked for the Government to give full background material to Deputies in the House.

It has now been revealed that the Government had in its possession very serious letters from Mr. Justice Smithwick which were withheld, clearly deliberately, from the Oireachtas. It is not possible to argue that they were irrelevant to our discussions.

The Government agreed at the time to revise the motion if the tribunal indicated that the deadline could stop it fulfilling its objectives. The tribunal has articulated exactly such a concern. The Taoiseach should bring forward a motion to change the deadline. When will he do this? Is he happy with the risk that a critical witness might withdraw because of Government spinning?

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