Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

Second, I wish to consider an issue of constitutional importance regarding tribunals. While I will not go into specifics, some years ago the Houses of the Oireachtas set up a particular tribunal to inquire into certain allegations. Having regard to the separation of powers and the functions of the Dáil and Seanad, it is important that Members should find out where they stand in respect of an ongoing inquiry, perhaps through the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. I raise this issue as a former member of the Abbeylara inquiry, which cost the State a lot of money and fell on the grounds that Opposition members of that committee decided to project that particular tribunal of inquiry through the media.

Members must be extremely careful in this regard because there is due process. Members must respect tribunals that have been set up by the Oireachtas in order that an independent inquiry would take place. If there is to be an ongoing drip-drip of requests in this House about what was said on this day or the other, my point is the tribunal should be allowed to complete its work. Thereafter, if there are findings that are adverse to some Member of these Houses, of whatever calibre, a week's inquiry or whatever should be held. It is not appropriate that the epitaph of the present Taoiseach should be written in this House on a weekly ongoing basis like a soap opera.