Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I oppose the motion calling for the establishment of a select committee of the Seanad, as proposed in No. 26, motion No. 25 on today's Order Paper. I do so because there are two similar investigations under way, one by the EU Parliament and the other by the Council of Europe, both of which are getting the full support and co-operation of the Government. We were circulated today with documentation the Government has provided to the Council of Europe. It is comprehensive and sets out in great detail, as requested under Article 52, information I believe is relevant to those investigations. I fail to understand the need to establish a committee when it will not gain further information. Its only purpose will be to fan the flames of the anti-American lobby which, unfortunately, is becoming prevalent in this society.