Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Higgins that what we read in the report of the Mahon tribunal, which described the corruption in the planning system as systemic, was absolutely disgusting. We will have the opportunity to have a debate on the report later today when we can set out what needs to be done.

The Government is committed to acting on the Mahon tribunal report. We have already referred it to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Revenue Commissioners, the Standards in Public Office Commission and the Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner has, in turn, referred the report to the head of the Criminal Assets Bureau. Just as the Government committed itself to implementing the measures and recommendations contained in the Moriarty tribunal report, today the Cabinet discussed the Mahon report's recommendations. It was agreed the various Ministers with responsibility for bringing forward these recommendations will come back by the end of April with the actions that need to be taken. The Government will then bring forward the recommendations that need to be progressed.

Looking at the reports of the Mahon and Moriarty tribunals and all that happened over the period they were investigating, the biggest casualty in politics was truth. People were clearly on the take, lying about it, as well as not giving honest information to the Mahon tribunal. If there is a parallel to be drawn, then it is that public representatives need to be straight with the public. Deputy Higgins going around telling people that they will pay €1,000 in the household charge is not telling the people the truth. The household charge is €100 and is due by 31 March. Everyone in this House should tell the public the truth about it.

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