Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept exactly which you say, a Cheann Comhairle. The Government had decided on 28 January of this year that there should be a commission of investigation into the matter of the Cavan Monaghan Garda division and the debate was to be taken by the Minister for Justice and Equality. You, as Ceann Comhairle, made your ruling and you were perfectly entitled to do that.

I published all of the correspondence from Gallagher Shatter Solicitors through 9 September to 17 December. All of it was published for public availability. The Government's decision to approve the draft order with the terms of reference was also published. The Government had a clear view about this and it was happy to make its decision with that clarity. Despite any correspondence received, the Government had a clear focus on what it wanted to do and on making the decision in that way.

See this speech in context