James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader hold a debate on the excessive costs of tribunals? We have learned that the tribunals in hand have cost taxpayers between €700 million and €800 million. At a time of great difficulty in securing funding for community care and mental health services, money can be found willy nilly for the tribunals. The House should examine the costs of tribunals and debate how they can be curtailed.

We have also learned that invoices are still being received for the beef tribunal which wound up 12 years ago. Some barristers and solicitors have had an open door in terms of drawing down funding for tribunals. It should be a requirement that invoices be submitted within a specified timeframe from the completion of a tribunal's work. Invoices submitted by Oireachtas and local authority members are not paid if they are not submitted within a certain period and the same should apply to tribunals. Regular reports should be published documenting the activities of tribunals because they can sit for half an hour, wrap up proceedings and not sit again for three weeks, during which time barristers and solicitors continue to be paid. This is a shameful practice at a time when the health service is on its knees.

Will the Government provide relief and funding for counties hit by flooding caused by the weekend storms? Roads have been destroyed in some areas and local authorities will require funding to upgrade them, especially in low-lying areas. Several towns and villages were flooded in the west at great cost. The insurance cover of some residents in the areas affected may not be adequate. The Government must provide support and compensation for those affected by an act of God over the weekend. The House should debate the issue.