Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this opportunity to speak on this issue which is of significant public interest. From the commentary on the Government side, one would believe there is nothing in this worth exploring and that we will establish some form of investigation to see what, if anything, is happening. The alarm bells are ringing and have been for some time in the Department of Finance. Concerns were expressed about this particular deal.

There is no point in pretending the Government is open and transparent. The information had to be dragged from it. Deputy Catherine Murphy has done the State some service by doggedly pursuing this issue. We would not be establishing any form of investigation, and it would be swept under the carpet only for her tenacity. I remember in 1995 when allegations were made that a Minister was paid substantial sums of money to facilitate the granting of a mobile phone licence. The people who made those allegations were excoriated and a tribunal was established which found a politician was paid substantial sums of money and that Denis O'Brien-----

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