Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I was amused by the Tánaiste's assertion in the House on 23 February 2005 that the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, would not be found guilty. The Tanáiste and, I think, Senator Minihan, were reacting to a comment I made about the possible findings of the Travers report. I asked the Tánaiste how she could be so emphatic in advance of the report's publication. I thought it made a mockery of having an inquiry if the result was known in advance. That is why I was not surprised when I saw that a senior civil servant was scapegoated and there was no political fallout. I wonder how the Tanáiste was so well briefed on this issue. Questions need to be asked about that.