Joe O'Toole (Independent)

It is with some regret that these discussions become party political issues. Senator Browne is correct in that many people from both sides of the House over the past 17 years have called for the heads of Ministers. I have asked on at least ten occasions in that time for a full debate on the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, as amended in 1995, to establish what is meant by the "Accounting Officer" of a Department, to determine what is meant by political responsibility and the relationship between the two. Any lawyer would be of the view that these have to be applied reasonably and I value the Minister of State's view on this. There is a rush to judgment as part of the political process but I have outlined the necessity to forensically examine such topics as those concerning Judge Curtin, Mr. Justice Flaherty and others. Pure, naked political views on the role of the Accounting Officer and political responsibility do not help. The situation is not helped either by incorrect information or misinformation. How could any right-minded person bring this issue into the party political process? All parties have been involved in this issue.