Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was somewhat surprised by the audacity of the Fianna Fáil leader in complaining about some Deputies naming names and making allegations about others because, as the Ceann Comhairle is aware, Teachta Micheál Martin only recently completely ignored due process and named a number of Sinn Féin activists, including private citizens, and alleged that they were involved in serious crimes. There is a need for all Members to practise what they preach in these matters. Good record-keeping is important, as the Taoiseach has acknowledged. He also has stated - this is both welcome and obvious - that staff are trained in the keeping of records. I do not know whether he has stated they are also trained in a widespread way in how to deal with freedom of information requests which are an important device to elicit information. If it is not possible to make available such information, reasons should be given for this because people may understand if a reason is given, whereas many times no reason is given.

In addition, I refer to the claim the Taoiseach made in this Chamber in my presence that Department of Finance files at the time of the bank guarantee were not available. It was not just that they were not available or were missing, but the suggestion was they were hidden. Given the number of times this remark was repeated in the Chamber, to now withdraw it seems somewhat reprehensible to me. Moreover, given that the banking inquiry is starting and will seek access to records, there is a case for a high standard of record-keeping and that such assertions and allegations should not be made. As for the idea of public confidence, citizens must have confidence, regardless of whether they like, respect or agree with what the Government or the Oireachtas might do. They must have some confidence that Members are serious in how they approach their job. How can the Taoiseach make an assertion not just that files were missing but that they were deliberately hidden, destroyed or not available to the incoming Government led by him and now, on the eve of the banking inquiry getting under way, simply withdraw it?

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