Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I thank all those who contributed to the debate, including the Minister of State, Deputy Connick, whom I wish well following his appointment.

It is important to reflect on the wording of the motion which has been designed to ensure the report would be fully and thoroughly investigated by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Most of what we have heard in the debate is, in a sense, a throwback to the debate held on 18 February when we had a series of statements outlining our views on what was contained in the report. What Fine Gael and the co-signatories to the motion want to ensure is that the Ombudsman, all those affected and implicated - policymakers, politicians and affected families - will have an opportunity to come before the joint committee to present their case, take questions and respond to queries. That is the least that is required.

I welcome the fact that the Government appears to have conceded that the Ombudsman should come before the joint committee, but we need to go further and ensure the committee will investigate the report, ask questions and advance the process. We in this House are not judges or jurors. However, there are questions yet to be asked, angles to be pursued and issues to be teased out. The report must be examined in an open and transparent fashion by the committee. We require a thorough investigation. There has been some progress. Political pressure applied by the Opposition parties and more recently the Green Party has obviously triggered a Government response. The white flag has been raised and, at a minimum, the Ombudsman will now be allowed to come before the committee. That meeting must be more than a vehicle for a hearing with the Ombudsman. The committee must be allowed to investigate the matter fully, question all those involved and hear their submissions and advance the case.

I thank all those who have contributed to the debate. The backdrop to the report is tragic. All those involved require closure and, most of all, justice which the affected families consider they have not received and which they demand. We have a role to play in that regard. The next step is a full, open and thorough investigation by the joint committee. I look forward to it being allowed. Again, I thank my colleagues for allowing this debate to be held today.