Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

I am obviously not going to have a meeting of minds with Senator Mullen and I daresay it will not be the first or last issue on which we will have a different view. I hope we will leave respecting each other's differences. The issues are well rehearsed. The correct balance is in the proposed wording. I reject the amendment because it upsets the fair balance and would bring us back to a situation where the public interest is not well served.

Senators have spoken about the tribunals of inquiry as they stand and what we would happen if we do not make this change. Even on the narrow issue of fair procedures and individual rights, I am not sure that the current tribunal system has been greatly fair.