Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

That is exactly why the decision to be taken has to be the right one and why the programme for Government set out a very clear strategy in a very clear way that the Government would hold a referendum asking the people this very question in order to deal with issues like this. I respect the decision of the people. They rejected the referendum and it leaves us in a position where we cannot proceed on the basis of what was set out as part of the programme for Government. Clearly, if this matter is to be decided by way of an Oireachtas committee, legislation is required.

I will not go any further at this point except to say that the Government will reflect very carefully on this. It is in the interest of everybody that the truth is known in respect of the rationale applied to the information and the presentation made by banks to Government, for instance, and how the decision was taken. We can debate this again but it is fundamentally important that the decision taken is the right one and that it does not lead to a situation where that frustration about which the Deputy spoke can be applied. He will recall an inquiry into FÁS some time ago by the Committee of Public Accounts where people simply refused to turn up. The decision arising from the Abbeylara case obviously restricted the opportunities for Oireachtas committees to do their job. It is a matter which requires very careful consideration. If any legislation is drafted, it will have to be drafted in direct consultation with the Attorney General in respect of what it actually means.

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