John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I join previous speakers in complimenting Mr. Justice Flood on his work to date. There is no doubt that the manner in which he approached his task and his interim report and the manner in which it was received was an eye-opener for many but, more importantly, it was a good public service. We should never lose sight of the fact that despite comments about tribunal fatigue and that the costs outweigh the benefits, public life is better off as a result of these investigations. During the course of this tribunal certain matters have come to hand, particularly the legal situation in which we find ourselves as a result of Mr. Justice Flood's resignation regarding the determination of costs. This is something from which we have to learn. We have to work on it and, if necessary, we may have to legislate. In legislating for it, let us do it properly. Let us approach the whole question of tribunals and try to make them more efficient and less costly but at no stage should we put that before the public interest.

As a result of this tribunal the public is more informed about what was going on. It is more questioning, has a greater awareness of the whole planning procedure and has a greater awareness of what is right and wrong. The tribunal said that politics is corrupt and I regret that. Individuals have been found to have acted improperly. If one is a servant of the public, elected to public office and abuses that position and privilege, it has to be exposed and corrected. If the future integrity of public life in this State is better served as a result of what has been going on, it is a good public service. Some advocate that we should close down the tribunals. I question the motives of those people and some of the suggestions put forward. Is that in the public interest or is it self-interest regarding a culture that has developed and has to stop?