Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support the argument made by Senator O'Toole. I hope the problems in Kenmare will be examined.

It is timely, given the imminent retirement of Mr. Justice Flood, chairman of the Flood tribunal, that we invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to discuss the issue of tribunals which has been brought into sharp focus once more. Eight tribunals are meeting and it seems that some people are experiencing tribunal fatigue. I do not think that people, including Members, are following closely the progress of the tribunals. A massive amount in costs is involved and many lawyers have become millionaires as a result. Funds in many other areas such as disability, which has been highlighted in this House, could be more meaningfully spent elsewhere.

There has to be a better way of conducting the tribunal process. I remind Senators of the achievements of the Committee of Public Accounts, chaired by the late Jim Mitchell, in the space of one month – some £185 million was retrieved from the banking institutions. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform should come to the House in order that we can debate whether there is a better way of expediting this process. It is farcical in the extreme that it is projected that the Flood tribunal will sit for another 15 years. I ask Senators to try to quantify the costs of the tribunal if it lasts for another 15 years and compare it to what is likely to be highlighted. If the Minister was here, we could constructively discuss whether there was a better way of trying to expedite this process, which is somewhat ridiculous at this stage.