Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First of all, I withdraw any remark that might have given a perception of a "joking nature", as the Deputy put it. I respect absolutely the right of people to come forward with information about wrong-doing. That is why the legislation is being treated with the respect it deserves. I hope the Deputy understands that.

Regarding the banking inquiry, the Deputy is aware that the inquiries legislation, which will give us an opportunity to do this, has gone through. It was not a matter for the Government to put this in place, but the Government triggered the issue of having an inquiry and allowing for that to happen with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the relevant committees. This will be a new special Oireachtas committee comprising Members of the Dáil and the Seanad. The Whip will sit down with Opposition Members to discuss the structure, membership and nature of the committee. It will be a matter for the committee to define its own terms of reference in what it needs to do here. Obviously, comments have been made about three modules - the lead-up to the bank guarantee, the issue of the banks themselves and the State institutions. It will be a matter for the committee, when it has been appointed by the House and by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, to define what those are. The Deputy asked when the banking inquiry committee will actually get down to business and start doing work. He will be aware that there is a pretty serious amount of preparatory work to be done here.

I assume the banking inquiry, through the system, could be operational by the end of September or October. It should be finished its preparatory analysis by then. It is important for everybody to find out what happened, and the truth and the impact of light regulation by the previous Government. The Whip will consult the Opposition and we hope to bring a motion before the Dáil and Seanad next week and get on with the business.

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