Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister for Public Expenditure wrote to all of the Opposition parties in advance of this and in setting out the position asked for their observations. This brings to a conclusion the work which was conducted by the then Chairman, for former Deputy Seán Ardagh, in respect of an all-party Oireachtas committee dealing with this very matter.

Three amendments have been tabled: one from Deputy McDonald and two from the Minister. The first one from the Minister is for a more exact translation of the word "inquiry" to change it from fiosrú to inscruidiú, which is accurate and should not cause a problem for anybody. The second amendment from the Minister deals with the amendment which is in the Deputy's own name, while it is implicit in the Government's proposal that there would be adherence to fair procedure in respect of natural justice, what the Minister's amendment does is to make that explicit, it makes it absolutely crystal clear that what is involved is adherence to fair procedure so there should be no reason for any difficulty with any of the three amendments tabled - two in the Minister's name and his second one deals with the Deputy's own amendment.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. 14 be agreed to," put and declared carried.

Question, "That the proposal for dealing with No. a11, without debate, be agreed to," put and declared carried.

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