Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

Before I call on the Taoiseach to answer this, I am being dragged into a controversy over this matter and I resent it very much. The 1959 Act was amended by the 2003 Act, which obliges me in law to perform certain functions. There were amendments to that Act in 2006 and 2009 and nobody made any changes. I am obliged by law under the current 2003 Act to perform certain duties. I tried to do so by calling a meeting of the commissioners and they were briefed before the meeting, so the shambles that took place means that I am now in a very awkward position so that I am going to apply the 2003 Act, which I can, where I do not exercise my right and it will now be a matter for the Taoiseach in accordance with that Act. It is not the 1959 Act but the 2003 Act that should be looked at.

I am appearing in newspapers. People are leaking stuff following a consultation process that took place within the law. The content of the leak was totally improper and incorrect, and an attempt to blacken my good name. I have to sit here and take this abuse without having any right of response. This is not in order on the Order of Business.

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