Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In yesterday's Irish Examiner, Aoife-Grace Moore reported on the continuing controversy surrounding Donegal County Council's acquisition of five houses that, as the council's engineer stated in writing prior to the purchase approval, have mica and will require significant remedial work. At the crux of the matter is openness, transparency and accountability and whether proper procedures and due diligence were followed.

This is not the only murky cloud hanging over Donegal County Council. The Mulcahy report, which was commissioned in 2015, has been gathering dust on the Minister's desk for over five years. Members of this House, including, ironically, the Minister, have called for its publication more than 40 times but to no avail. I have asked more than 35 parliamentary questions and submitted two freedom of information requests on the mica issue during this Dáil term. The standard of reply to most of those has left much to be desired.

The veil of secrecy surrounding mica and planning matters in Donegal is destroying trust in public administration in the county. Will the Tánaiste commit to publishing the Mulcahy report in full and urging his fellow Minister to embrace a culture of openness?

See this speech in context