Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Brendan Howlin that the release of the report on the Department of Justice and Equality by Michael Collins, SC, at 8.50 p.m. last evening could be misinterpreted as a desire to bury the report. I hope I am wrong in that regard. The report and its conclusions are serious. While Mr. Michael Collins says there is no evidence to suggest any deliberate concealment or withholding of material from the tribunal, he concludes, on the other hand, that there was no meaningful explanation provided as to why the initial search for documents did not include email accounts of officials in the policing division or senior officials in the Secretary General's office.

The report raises far more questions than it answers. It illustrates the need for major reform within the Department before credibility can be restored. We should acknowledge that the report highlights the fact that the questions posed by Deputy Alan Kelly at the time in question were very significant in this regard. Over 79 additional documents emerged subsequently.

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