Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is a very fair question from Deputy Troy. I can only say I am as impatient as he is to see and publish it.

Judge Moran presented his report to officials of my Department  on Monday, 12 June 2017. For reasons, which I will now outline to the Deputy, neither I nor Ministers of State O'Donovan and Griffin have yet seen Judge Moran's report.

On the preceding Thursday, 8 June 2017, one of the parties who is referred to in the Report raised certain legal matters by way of letters to me as Minister, the previous Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and the Attorney General. These matters relate to due process and natural justice and reference is made to a number of points of Brazilian law. The matters raised by that party, along with the contents of Judge Moran's report, are currently being considered by the Office of the Attorney General. I have decided that the most appropriate course of action is to defer my consideration of the judge's report until the Office of the Attorney General has completed its consideration.

Following consultation between officials in my Department and the Attorney General's office, it was agreed that it would be prudent to seek independent legal advice from Brazil. When that independent advice is received, expected in the coming days, the Attorney General's office should be in a position to finalise its advice.

In respect of the publication of the Moran inquiry report, the timing of its publication will be subject to consideration of that legal advice. While I accept that the inquiry has taken longer than expected, anticipated or wished, the matters at issue are complex. It is my considered view that a thorough, deliberative approach must be followed but I would like to assure the Deputy that I am disposed to publication of this report at the earliest possible date.

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