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

Yesterday, the Taoiseach said the Comptroller and Auditor General had the legislative remit to investigate the Siteserv deal. Doubts have emerged about whether the legislative template exists for the Comptroller and Auditor General to do so. I raised it on yesterday's Order of Business and the Taoiseach indicated that it did. I understand the Comptroller and Auditor General is not in a position to carry out such an investigation and I would like the Tánaiste to indicate whether it is the Government's intention to change the legislation regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General to enable him to investigate it. Alternatively, would the Government consider the simpler route, namely, the establishment of a commission of investigation, which has already been provided for under the 2004 legislation, and which would facilitate an expeditious and efficient investigation of the issue and the concerns about other large transactions which the civil servants in the Department of Finance articulated to the Minister in 2012? There is no clarity regarding what legislative template will be used for the issue.

Yesterday, the Taoiseach confused matters by mentioning the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Taoiseach did not seem to be well informed, although I might be wrong. It is important that we get clarity here about whether the Comptroller and Auditor General legislation allows for an investigation into the issue of how IBRC conducted transactions. The Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts is very doubtful about it, as are other Deputies who have checked the legislation. This morning, Government spokespersons, including the Tánaiste, have spoken about some form of independent review and seem to be resiling from the proposal that the Comptroller and Auditor General would carry out the investigation. People do not want scoping exercises, but a very effective, expeditious investigation that will get to the bottom of it. Could the Government be more upfront about identifying the legislative template and the Government's commitment on it?

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