Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I am pleased we have the time to consider this momentous report in detail because it has major significance not only for our planning system but also for our political system. The report has made adverse findings against elected representatives at all levels of elected office, from county councillor to Taoiseach. I express my appreciation to the members of the tribunal - Judges Mahon, Faherty and Keys and, previously, Mr. Justice Feargus Flood - for the work they have done and the reports they have produced. Their work is all the more remarkable given the obstruction and attacks to which the tribunal was subjected over the course of its hearings and investigations.

The report is very wide-ranging and makes findings of corruption against a number of named individuals. The essential point of the report is the need for everyone in public life not just to talk about high standards but also to be willing to behave and act on them no matter the personal inconvenience. The Government is committed to responding promptly and effectively to the findings and recommendations of the report. Since publication, the Government has responded with authority to those findings and recommendations. As has been stated, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has sent the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Garda Commissioner, the Revenue Commissioners and the Standards in Public Office Commission for consideration and appropriate investigative steps. I understand the Garda Commissioner has referred the report to the Criminal Assets Bureau and asked the head of the bureau to lead the Garda examination of the report and follow-up action.

The Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, has instituted civil forfeiture proceedings relating to matters investigated by the Mahon tribunal over the past 15 years and the report notes that the Comptroller and Auditor General estimated in 2008 that CAB and the Revenue Commissioners have recovered in excess of €51 million. It will be a matter for these organs of State to decide what action, if any, to take on foot of the final report.

In addition to its findings, which are well known at this stage, the report makes a total of 64 recommendations on planning, conflicts of interest, political finance, lobbying, bribery, corruption in office, money laundering, the misuse of confidential information, asset recovery and confiscation, as well as other miscellaneous matters. The Government has decided that all relevant Ministers should consider its recommendations and revert to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the co-ordinating Department, by the end of April with proposed actions. That is with a view to the Minister, Deputy Hogan, reporting to the Government for a collective response to the tribunal recommendations as early as possible in May.

The intention to bring this matter to Government again within a number of weeks will ensure we produce a whole-of-government response to the tribunal's recommendations, with a comprehensive and in-depth response to each of the tribunal's findings. Some of these recommendations are in the course of implementation through reforms of the tribunal of inquiry legislation and the new legislative proposals relating to political funding, corruption, whistleblowers and registration of lobbyists. These legislative reforms have been brought forward by this Government in the first 12 months of office. With all that has been invested in the tribunal to date, it is crucial the report is considered carefully and acted on speedily and comprehensively in order that we can help restore public confidence in the political system.

The Government's comprehensive commitment to breaking the link between big money and politics is evidenced by the introduction of the Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011. This legislation sustainably reforms political funding in Ireland and, as such, has endeavoured to implement the recommendations made in the Moriarty report. The trust and confidence of our citizens in the political system has been badly damaged by the revelations of this report. The evidence in the report of the many individuals who did everything they could to expose corruption and who are commended by the tribunal therefore should also be conveyed to the public.

The Government faces many challenges relating to the economy and our system of government. The Government is committed to ending the legacy of corruption detailed in this report, as outlined by several Senators during this debate. The Government has taken the necessary steps to ensure that what has been shown in the report can never happen again, and we must all strive to that end, no matter what side of the House we are on. The actions outlined in the report can never happen again and people must be brought to justice. That process will take its course, with people being jailed if found guilty by the courts. The law must take its course. Like other Senators, I am hopeful those named in this report as being found corrupt will receive the treatment they deserve, namely, being brought to justice and jailed if found guilty by the courts.