Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will go back to the issue of the statements. The Government has decided that the establishment of a commission of investigation under section 3 of the Commission of Investigations Act 2004 is necessary to investigate certain matters of significant public concern regarding certain decisions, transactions and activities entered into by IBRC between 21 January 2009 and 7 February 2013. It is also looking at the details of the guarantee of the Irish banking system on 30 September 2008. A new management team and board were put in place in 2009 with the objective of managing the bank in a manner that minimised the ultimate cost to the Irish taxpayer. I am saying it is very important that we raise this as well.

I will support this commission of inquiry, but I have concerns about some of the issues that have been raised by my colleagues. I sometimes wonder why we do not have commissions of inquiry to investigate the 138,000 children in this country who are living in poverty in 2015, the increase in the level of consistent poverty from 6.8% in 2008 to 11.7% or the 37,000 children who will be living in poverty in 2020, according to the Ombudsman for Children, Mr. Niall Muldoon. Some 1,054 children are homeless at the moment. I am saying that commissions of inquiry have to be focussed on these issues as well. I add to that the need to support people with disabilities. People with intellectual and physical disabilities are crying out for services at a time when €4 million of taxpayers' money is being spent on a commission of inquiry.

Overall, I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy for raising these issues and showing once again that strong Independent voices are needed in Dáil Éireann to stand up and protect the rights of the citizens of this country.

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