David Norris (Independent)

What I say is accurate.

As a result of a series of investigations, the Committee of Public Accounts is examining the issues. The newspaper controversy has in a valuable way highlighted the inadequacies of the committee system, for example, the lack of compellability. Unless there is a serious constitutional problem, the committee should have the power to compel witnesses. It is absurd that a courageous journalist must spend such an amount on the information that could not be obtained by the PAC. The previous Government through Mr. McCreevy introduced swingeing costs under the Freedom of Information Act 1997 and a five-year moratorium on certain Government information. This was criticised last weekend by the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, who stated in the Sunday Independent, "Before the fees, a journalist could simply rattle a request off from his [I am surprised she did not say 'or her'] desk, whereas now the additional red tape of getting the fee puts many of them off, as is proven in the drop-off in requests,". The newspaper was charged €2,500 for the requests.

The net effect of the series of investigations was that Mr. Molloy was forced to resign. That will cost the taxpayer €500,000 in severance payments, €35,000 a year and God knows how much else, including the cost of replacing him. I have consistently spoken passionately about the destruction of the Combat Poverty Agency and the humiliation and neutering of the Irish Human Rights Commission but another damaging blow has been struck against FÁS during a period when unemployment is on the increase. This also raises questions about the decentralisation programme.

There has not been a great saving. Senator Ross has done the State some service. He is courageous because he has trodden on a considerable number of important toes, which is a dangerous exercise. He has become a whistleblower. I am not bothered by the bill for hair, which is rubbish. People should read the letter written by the senior Irish diplomat, Mr. Michael Lillis, who indicated the significance of what was achieved in Florida and he also put on the record his considerable admiration for Mr. Molloy. In the context of balance and fairness, during recent high level negotiations when Ireland had the Presidency of the European Union, Mr. Molloy engaged in a great deal of high-flown entertaining on behalf of the country, for which he paid out of his own pocket. In fairness to this man, about whom I know very little, he committed suicide on radio by saying he was entitled to flights and by making two contradictory statements, which were that he needed to fly first class in order to arrive fresh and to be downgraded to bring his wife with him.