Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

This question arises in the context of the report of the Mahon tribunal. We know what happened in Dublin and that serious complaints were made to the Department and the Ombudsman about what had occurred in Cork. I have a copy of the Ombudsman's report, delivered on 25 February, which refers to difficulties of a systemic nature. Essentially, what is happening is similar to what occurred when the Ferns report - the first such report of its kind on child abuse within the church - was published. In the context of child abuse, it did not come as a surprise that there was the same problem in other locations because the same structures and systems were in place. The position is exactly the same in the planning system which lies at the core of the economic difficulties by which we have been beset. People's sense of outrage regarding the Mahon tribunal cannot be temporary in nature. The investigation carried out must be credible and allow people to feel a sense of confidence in the planning system into the future. There can be no recurrence of past failures. Is the Minister of State confident that an internal inquiry will be seen as credible from the point of view of restoring people's confidence? Is she not of the view that there is a need for an independent assessment rather than an in-house one? I fully appreciate that money is tight, etc. However, an investigation must be credible, above reproach and independent. Will an internal review deliver in this regard?

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