Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This trial and the various issues it has thrown up is a complex situation. Some of the issues have been examined in the report. It was a very complex trial, as the Deputy is aware, in terms of the issues that were dealt with and it was one of the longest in the history of the State. I would certainly like to publish the report but when I publish any report I have to be conscious - the time varies as to when reports are received in Government Departments - that it is not a question of one piece of legal advice and it is over. It is a question of teasing out the relevant legislation, what the legislation has to say about publication, and whether or not there are rights relating to publication and are there limitations on that right. We have to also examine the impact on other parties who are affected by the report. Where that is the situation, it is normal procedure to make the other parties aware of the impending publication and so on. There will be no delay in publication but a range of issues have to be dealt with. As soon as they are clarified, and if it is feasible to publish the report, I want to be in a position to publish it and bring it before the Oireachtas for discussion. I am sure the committee will want to examine it also.

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