Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I call for a debate on the extraordinary happenings within the ESRI. What has happened in respect of the report on the cost of working in Ireland is remarkable. The truth should set us free. Is the problem with the report its findings, its methodology, analysis and calculations or is there a political problem with the stark and dramatic conclusions that the report, whether it is a working paper, has reached? It is unprecedented that the report should be withdrawn and there appears to be a controversy within the organisation. It is appropriate that we have a debate on the matter given that this is an important body which receives State funding.

Since the Dáil is slow to say something it ought to say, perhaps we should say it in here. Defrauding the State is wrong. Fiddling one's taxes is wrong. We should not lose time in making that clear within the House. We should be slow to accept excuses about the dangers of impacting on due process. There are things that can be said immediately about misstating one's tax liabilities and they should be said without delay. A motion of censure should proceed without delay. There is a certain ambivalence, at which I am surprised, in some parts of the media towards the individual in question. This is shown in pointing to the apparent hypocrisy among the political establishment parties in pointing the finger at the Independent Deputy in this case, but I wonder whether there is hypocrisy in the media. I do not recall, for example, an editorial in The Irish Times about former Senator Ivor Callely. I had no sympathy for him, but I do not recall an editorial with language such as, "He should still ask himself in all conscience whether he remains able to his personal satisfaction either to represent constituents effectively or contribute usefully to the causes that animate him". There is something rather fawning about that language.

What needs to happen is that a spade needs to be called a spade. I have said previously that I am not a big fan of the culture which looks for heads or people to resign. The people of Wexford can decide on what should happen to the Deputy at their next opportunity, but for somebody who defrauds the State by not paying his taxes, the way to demonstrate positive intent is to come forward with a schedule of repayments, by perhaps going on the average industrial wage and paying the difference to the State. That would show a genuine desire to put things right. In a way, in politics we should allow people to put things right and resume a respected place, but a person needs to do something before people can believe in him or her again. That is what needs to happen in this regard.

This draws our attention to the issue of ethics in business. In that context, I am hopeful the Government will support my Private Members' Bill - Business Undertakings (Disclosure Of Overpayments) Bill 2012. Businesses often overpay and there ought to be a requirement on those who receive such overpayments to disclose them. Revenue, the local authorities and the Department of Social Protection often make overpayments. Therefore, there should be an interest in putting an obligation on those who receive overpayments to disclose them and facilitate their repayment, not only as a matter of good ethics and good business practice but also as a matter of law.