John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. Let no more politicians - I do not doubt the sincerity of the Ceann Comhairle - say lessons have been learned. As soon as a politician or Minister says a lesson has been learned, the public thinks that is it, it is business as usual. Nothing will be learned and everything will continue as it was.

That does harm to the public's belief in the public services we have and so many good people who work in the public sector right across the country when there are no consequences for disgusting overspends of public money.

My final comment is to ask the Minister to ensure that when the commission continues into the future and that there are consequences for such blatant waste of public money or else we will continue to undermine public trust in our system of government.

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