Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Martin will see, the replies from the Department of the Taoiseach are clear and consistent. That observation was not taken into account and the terms of reference accurately reflect the terms as set out by Mr. Guerin. There are one or two words where this is absolutely clear in the terms of reference adopted by the Dáil. I have instructed my officials to publish all of that documentation so that people can see the position, from 9 September when the firm wrote to the Department of the Taoiseach.

A reply was sent from the private secretary of the Department on 7 November. A further letter was received from the firm on 17 November, repeating that the terms of reference should not include a reference to the former Minister for Justice and requesting written confirmation of that. On 19 November, the Cabinet approved the terms of reference, which covered all of the areas recommended by Mr. Guerin, including in regard to the former justice Minister. On 21 November, a letter was sent from the private secretary of the Department to the firm, informing it that the draft terms of reference had been approved by the Government and that these would be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the ordinary way. On 25 November, a further letter from the firm objected to the Government's approved terms of reference. On 8 December, a letter, enclosing a letter from the former Minister to the Ceann Comhairle objecting to the terms of reference which referred to him, was received from the firm.

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