Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I concur with the comments of Senator Bradford. To its credit, the House sensibly focused on the serious issue before it last week, rather than succumbing to the temptation to play politics, as happens elsewhere. However, it is important that this spirit is maintained and I support Senator Bradford's call for a debate at the earliest opportunity. I have heard reports about measures which will be announced by the Taoiseach in the Dáil today. Such measures are commendable and we should have the opportunity to contribute to them because they are a step in benchmarking legislation in other countries to ensure that best practice applies in this country.

I am disappointed that calls made by me in the past have not resulted in a debate on ongoing tribunals of inquiry. Some form of accountability by way of progress reports on tribunals of inquiry is needed. The work carried out by the tribunals is laudable but has been achieved at very high cost. Since their establishment eight or nine years ago——