Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to the Minister for outlining the responsibilities of Wexford Borough Council in the assembly of this site. Unfortunately, however, she did not answer the specific request I made in this Topical Issue, which is that a commission of investigation is required to unravel serious irregularities in the assembly of the site. Even if what the Minister of State says about the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government's responsibilities holds, that does not preclude the Minister from acting under the law. I am obliged to a Law Reform Commission report which informs me that a commission of investigation may be established by the Government, based on a proposal by a Minister with the approval of the Minister for Finance, to investigate any matter considered by the Government to be of significant public concern. Happily, the head of the Government, the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, is sitting beside the Minister of State as I speak. He is now informed of the serious concern I have raised about irregularities which have seriously affected the economic and social rights as well as the livelihoods of innocent people.

What the Minister of State outlined with regard to the Ethics in Public Office Act is not sufficient. I have examined this. It is complex, even Byzantine, but it must be investigated. I call on the Minister of State, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Taoiseach to take what I am saying seriously. It will be confirmed when it is examined, and they should not be found negligent by not assisting in seeking the answers that are badly needed in respect of this issue.

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