Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I commend the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, on the establishment of an independent inquiry into the libelling of Fr. Kevin Reynolds . I also commend Senator Mullins who yesterday requested that such an inquiry be set up. It is to be hoped that the inquiry will deal, fairly and squarely, with all issues, including objectivity, impartiality and fairness. However, like Senator Mullen, I am concerned with regard to the general level of misinformation that appears to obtain. There is a grave danger that some of that misinformation may have taken hold in sections of the media, particularly RTE. As Senator Norris indicated, a very grave error has been made. I commend the Government, the Minister and everyone else involved in establishing the inquiry and I look forward to the emergence of its findings in a few months.

In dealing with the pre-budget debates, which Senator O'Brien rightly called for - in fairness, he touches on it here every day - Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are in a sense shooting blind. We are dealing with speculation to a large extent.