Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

If we were to adopt the definition of bias as enunciated by some here, we would never get to question anyone because we are on the record on many issues, such as the HSE and virtually every public service throughout the State. Very often our questioning has a political charge to it because we are carrying out a representative function. We must be very careful how we define bias and what damage it could do.

If anyone were to stand up in the House, our friends in Fianna Fáil included, and criticise this legislation and any inquiry which may emanate from it on the basis it is too limited, he or she might have a point. It is a great shame Oireachtas committees cannot make findings of fact, but the people made their determination on this issue and so be it. I think it a great pity that Cabinet confidentiality could create complications with regard to information and documentation we might require. We are all mindful that nothing we do in any inquiry can cut across criminal proceedings and the authority of the courts. That is how it is.

Let us remind ourselves that whoever is on any would-be bank inquiry and whatever its terms of reference, we simply legally cannot make findings of fact. I wonder why the Fianna Fáil benches are so animated on this subject. It strikes me it does not come from an objective analysis or the limitations of the legislation or any inquiry, but that members of Fianna Fáil are using this opportunity during this short debate to grandstand because their feelings have been hurt on the basis of a political charge made by the Taoiseach. To try to use this to scupper the legislation or any banking inquiry I consider to be utterly dishonest on their part.

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