Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

If Senator Hayes's point is that a different view must be taken of the matter now because of what we know from the tribunals, it has some validity. However, he will remember that his colleagues in Dáil Éireann made the point that it should have been apparent in 1997, before the tribunals were established, that this was a reason not to appoint of Mr. Burke. He cannot have it every way. I am aware of a desire in the Fine Gael Party to put me in the position of either stating there is nothing wrong with the file or else choosing to criticise the Taoiseach. I will not fall into that elementary trap. The real question is why the Fine Gael Party, when in Government, did nothing to investigate this matter or bring it forward. The Senator must ask himself this question as he shares collective responsibility for it to a far greater extent than I do.