Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

It is natural that Senator Darragh O'Brien and so many other colleagues should be concerned about the Mahon tribunal report and should seek a debate in early course. I have no doubt but that the Leader will provide such a debate for the House, once the relevant Minister is available. The significant cost of the tribunal to the taxpayer has been mentioned. In a sense, both Houses of the Oireachtas in providing for the sanctioned terms of reference could have drawn things tighter. It is easy to say that now. We should remind ourselves of the many challenges by citizens who were well able to afford them and a number of which went all the way to the Supreme Court. I will not say these people had more money than sense. One of them, the Murphy Jr. case, has serious implications for the taxpayer in terms of fees and costs.

I have no doubt the Government is giving this serious report and its recommendations thoughtful consideration. Equally, there is no doubt the Government agrees with them and will adopt them and further them legislatively, as is required. The House will have to deal with that in due course. I would welcome a debate.