Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I welcome that. It is appropriate it would happen.

Yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform initiated a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of a young boy, Brian Rossiter, in Clonmel in September 2002. He was found in a coma in Garda custody. This is clearly a depressing case which involved a 14 year old boy. The question must be asked as to why he was detained in custody that evening. However, a further question which must be asked is why it has taken the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform almost three years to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. I understand the Department was informed in January 2004 of the circumstances yet it has taken almost 18 months for the Minister to initiate an inquiry.

On Wednesday last, Senator Cummins, myself and other Members were debating an amendment to the Garda Síochána Bill which brings up to date the Dublin Police Act 1924 to allow for such independent public inquiries. I would have thought it prudent that the Minister would have put on the record of the House at that time that he intended to initiate such an inquiry. He had informed the family that morning, on Wednesday last. Why did he not put on the record of the House the fact he intended to use the very amendment we were discussing that evening to initiate a public inquiry into the tragic circumstances of this case?

I reiterate the point I made last week. Why is it the case that the Government continues with its practice of not making important public statements in this House or the other House? While I welcome the fact there is to be an inquiry, the Minister should have told Members of his intention when we were debating the very amendment which gave him the power to initiate such an inquiry. I regret this did not happen.

I ask the Leader to make known my views and those of my colleagues to all Ministers. There is no point talking about Seanad reform, Dáil reform or any kind of reform unless the Government reforms the way it treats the Houses of the Oireachtas. I hope that is the lesson we learn this summer.