Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Apparently that belief has been blown out of the water by the report. It was in the Government's interest to bring the matter to a conclusion. If, as I hope, the report proves that politicians were not central to the events described, it is time we knew that. I have pride in our role as politicians. We have been much maligned and, as the Government is now starting to learn, the suspicion of politicians is not directed solely at Deputies on this side of the House. The criticism of politicians by other politicians, as if the vast majority of us do not do a genuine day's, and in many cases night's, work on behalf of the people, does our profession no service. By publishing this report and allowing a robust debate that examines all the issues, we can clear the air and enhance the role of politicians in this country.

See this speech in context