Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Connick, who has spoken on this issue before on behalf of the Department. I second the motion as proposed by Senator Eugene Regan. I do not have anything for or against anyone involved in this scheme. Although I do not see it as a conflict, I have in the past year or two become personally friendly with a member of the Byrne family. From what I know, I genuinely feel they have been wronged.

This matter is outstanding since 1981. I do not know whether the scheme was suspect but that belief has been hanging about and it was referred to again in the House today. If it were in any way suspect or tainted, that would be all the more reason to accept willingly the findings of the independent Ombudsman on this matter. The Ombudsman is above politics, is appointed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and is a most neutral referee. I would assume there is no one above her in that respect. Her office invested much time, energy and resources in examining this matter fully. As I understand it, the office found the scheme was designed to discriminate against the Byrne family, who it seems have been very badly wronged by the State. The Ombudsman found that the scheme was contrary to fair administration and that there was maladministration. The lack of advertising was referred to. I was not involved in any way in meetings of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which considered this matter. However, let us be honest and state that its eventual decision was made totally on party-political lines. The committee found no errors in the report. As has been said, the Ombudsman does not take lightly the task of issuing reports. The report in question is only the second special report of the Ombudsman. The recommendations therein are very clearly in favour of the Byrne family. We cannot simply ignore or cast aside the report.

The Office of the Ombudsman should be the final arbiter. As I understand it, that was envisaged when the office was set up. In cases such as this, the Ombudsman was to be the final arbiter. It behoves Members of the Oireachtas to accept graciously the findings and recommendations in the report, which are totally clear.

I plead with the Government, at this late hour, bearing in mind that this matter was discussed before, not only to do the right thing but to do the honourable thing. There must be a way, even at this late stage, to deal with the matter properly and correctly. I have no doubt the Minister of State is a very fair-minded individual, as befits his office. I urge him to have this wrong righted, even at this stage.