Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I was careful to quote people, such as Donncha O'Connell from his own party. Indeed amendment is inspired by the conclusions of the all-party committee. To use the term "straw man" is to fail to understand that there are issues of great complexity here on which people have been deliberating. The term "straw man" implies improper motivation and I ask the Minister to reflect on that. I know the Minister's motivation is honourable but I see major pitfalls in what is being proposed and I cannot resile from that position.

The Minister wants to know my attitude to Oireachtas committees of investigation. I have no problem with Oireachtas committees of investigation but I do have a problem with empowering them to make findings adverse to people's reputations. I said somewhat jocosely that, perhaps, I might be a little close to the issue. I simply meant that the actions of the Oireachtas committee and the Seanad Committee on Members' Interests last year did not cast Oireachtas investigations in a good light, in terms of the way questioning took place and the way people communicated outside. It is not the answer to say, "We will have to be a little more careful, lads, how we conduct ourselves in future". I would not find it remotely comforting if I thought that judges were saying to each other, "We will have to moderate the way we express our views or people would think we were biased". That would leave me with the impression that they are probably still biased, they are just being a little more careful about it.