Shane Ross (Independent)

I thank the Leader for allowing us to debate the Croke Park agreement. That is both constructive and helpful and I am delighted to hear it will continue after today because the matter is relevant.

I was a little disappointed because when I heard Senator O'Toole say there would be a debate on CIE, I thought he was being serious; I should have known better. As far as I am aware, there will not be such a debate. There is a cover-up going on within these Houses in regard to the investigation taking place in CIE. The Joint Committee on Transport has been frustrated, CIE has been protected by the Government on several occasions and the investigation has been frustrated by the absolute refusal, supported by the Government, of the non-executive directors to come to give evidence about what happens in corporate governance at CIE.

Last week, a much more serious development arose with a key witness not being allowed to give evidence in public. Why is this? A vote was called at the Joint Committee on Transport to allow him to come in. It was frustrated initially under the guise of there being a court case but that court case is completed. The Green member, Deputy Trevor Sargent, to his credit, withdrew - he disappeared. Fianna Fáil voted down-----