Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I did not know I had been silent, particularly this week. It may be in order in the relatively short term to have a debate on the question of privilege, once the High Court has adjudicated on particular matters. The use of privilege by Members of both Houses of the Oireachtas is a matter that needs to be debated in 2008. There is an onus on all of us to find out how and when it is used, and whether it is used effectively.

The idea of how we comment on tribunals in general — there are other tribunals in place — has been an issue that has not reflected well on our political system. Members of the Opposition parties in particular have been notoriously inconsistent.