Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 June 2004

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

The Mahon tribunal issued a report yesterday. I ask Members to take an interest in it. We need to look at a very simple issue. Under the terms of reference the tribunal is required to investigate every single allegation. That will take 14 years. The proposal is that where matters are referred to the tribunal, it would initially investigate them and if it came to a conclusion that they did not require further investigation or a public hearing, it could dispose of them and move on. That would halve or quarter the workload. It is a sensible, practical proposal that will save the State money. There is no gain in terms of what is currently happening. The tribunal will continue for 11 years only because it is required under the terms of reference to have a public hearing and a full investigation of every single allegation. It should be trusted to look at each allegation, to make initial inquiries and to conclude whether it should dispose of it or to have a public inquiry. This should be done quickly as it is one of the issues about which people feel very strongly.

Yesterday I again raised the process under Article 35 of the Constitution. In the case of a person subject to an impeachment process, is that person required to be responsible for his or her own legal costs? Cathaoirleach, I am not crossing the line here. We should take a deep interest in issues regarding the Constitution. I will keep raising these unanswerable questions every week in this House. We are making a mess of it and we have not thought our way through it. We were rushed into two pieces of legislation two weeks ago. I supported them like everyone else in this House and anything I say is no criticism of anyone in the House. However, we are down a blind alley on this one.

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