Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Please do not shout me down. The Deputy's fauxoutrage is hard to take, but it is made all the more galling in the absence of genuine outrage at so many pivotal points during his tenure in ministerial office. Where was his outrage when he came to this House and voted confidence in Bertie Ahern when he could not produce a tax clearance certificate? Where was his outrage when the former Taoiseach could not explain where he got the money and he said he made it on the horses? Where was the Deputy's outrage when he had a Fianna Fáil Minister for Finance who did not have a bank account? Where was his outrage when his then ministerial colleague swore a false affidavit? Where was his yearning for answers when his Government set up meandering, expensive tribunals that did not get to answer burning, important questions for the taxpayers of this country for many years? More importantly, where was his concern for the 300,000 people who lost their jobs during the last 18 months of his tenure as a Minister? The Deputy's fixation on one man's job, which a Supreme Court judge has already examined, is in stark contrast to his inaction in saving the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people.

It is fair to say the Opposition has been taken aback, because before this Taoiseach it would not have seen such a quick and efficient examination of issues by an eminent judge, followed by publication of that report in full within 24 hours.

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