Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the Mahon report as soon as possible. I agree with my colleague, Senator Cullinane, that nobody can afford to take the high moral ground. In the words of Thomas Kinsella: "I fold my towel with what grace I can", "for they are not made whole/That reach the age of Christ". Nevertheless, there is something surreal about a compromised former Taoiseach lecturing to people in Nigeria. There is something equally sickening about another compromised individual grinning like a hyena or an ass eating thistles and embarrassing our Taoiseach and our country when the Taoiseach rang the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange. These people should slip quietly away and let us get on with the task of restoring confidence in our politics.

Senator Coghlan and others have mentioned that the tribunal could cost a lot of money. I will perhaps have some proposals that we could look at on how costs are awarded by tribunals and in all State business because costs are very high. However, that is not to take from the good work of the tribunal but it is something we will have to address.