Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House on this issue. It is reasonable the request of the tribunal chairman and I fully endorse the Minister's confidence in this tribunal.

The tribunal has made good headway, from what we have read and what has been reported. As has been stated by Members, there are valid reasons as to why this is being sought. Apparently, additional witnesses turned up. It was useful to the work of the tribunal that some of these persons, who came from the North and who had previously refused to give evidence, came around and gave evidence. I gather there are only a handful left, and one is a substantive witness who may have given evidence already. It is important that he be heard. If that person is ill, it is justifiable that this further short time be made available.

I very much welcome it. I welcome the fact that we are agreed. I thought earlier we were not going to agree but I am delighted that the House is agreed.