Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

It is not fair to draw parallels between the commission and other inquiries and commissions because all the others are dealing with external matters. The difference in this case is that the Department is investigating itself, whereas the cases with which the Minister drew parallels do not involve internal investigations.

The Minister has repeatedly stated that marvellous progress has been made and I welcome that fact. Does she envisage establishing a mechanism by which progress could be verified on an ongoing basis, for instance, in terms of the number of cases the commission has concluded? On Second Stage yesterday, I expressed frustration that when the Fine Gael Party tried to elicit information from the commission on the number of outstanding cases, it refused to provide it because communications were still being received. I accept, however, this is a legitimate reason for withholding information. Will the Minister establish a mechanism to report on the progress she has outlined?