Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It appears from a very quick review of the record that we had this morning the shortest ever debate on the nomination of a Minister. There was once a tradition of having a day-long debate. On the last comparable occasion, three hours were allowed. It is interesting that, on that occasion, the current Taoiseach, who was then in opposition, attacked the time allowed as insufficient and tabled a counter-motion to extend it to seven hours. This reflects a pattern associated with how the Executive is going about its business regarding stage management, presentation, spin and managing events. The Guerin report is to be published tomorrow and, therefore, there will be no opportunity during Leaders' Questions or the Order of Business to deal with it. From what I can see, this is the standard practice of the Government.

I was somewhat alarmed by the comment of the Minister for Education and Skills that the debate on the Guerin report will not necessarily be next week. The Taoiseach was very clear to me yesterday that there would be a debate thereon in the Dáil next week. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to make it absolutely clear that there will be a debate on it next week and that the Government will not try to attempt to long-finger it beyond the local and European elections. The approach to everything, including water charges, is to bury the matter in an effort to get beyond the next electoral hurdle. Although the Government had hours to read the Guerin report, which led to the resignation of the Minister for Justice and Equality, the former Minister and Taoiseach were able to make up their minds on it very quickly, if we are to believe all the briefings today. At the very least, we will have a weekend to read the report, which is much longer than the former Minister had. According to the headlines in the newspapers, the Taoiseach gave him but three hours. There is no way that the Minister for Education and Skills should try to slip out of committing to a debate next week on the report. It is what my party is seeking. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm today that Government time will be made available next week to facilitate it.

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