Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy Tóibín raised the difficulties we have had with so many commissions of investigation taking so long and costing so much. I often meet people who request a commission of investigation into some matter or other. I am often very upfront with them and I say it will take years and could cost many millions of euro and they might not be happy with the findings. They do not always work out very well. Some have worked out well and some have not. There are lots of different ways to carry out investigations. Commissions of investigation are one way while tribunals, Garda investigations and GSOC investigations are others. Of course, the new Corporate Enforcement Authority, which I established last year as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, now has much stronger powers to investigate allegations of commercial malpractice or fraud. That is probably the body that should be used in the future for investigations that relate to commercial matters or commercial transactions. Of course, the Garda Economic Crime Bureau has a role in that too. One of the suggestions put forward in the IBRC report is that we have a standing commission of inquiry, which would mean we would not have to set one up each time. There are pros and cons to doing that as well. That needs to be thought through and fleshed out.

Regarding the Haughton report, as far as I am aware that is with the Minister for Justice. He has been very keen to publish it. We want to publish it as soon as possible but there has been engagement with the family about it. If they are happy for it to be published, I do not see any reason why it should not be but I have not been involved in that personally. Judge Haughton did a very detailed report. I would ask people to read his conclusions before calling for the next step to be taken because his conclusions in that regard are very clear.

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