Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Justice and Equality on the publication of the heads of the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill. It is a novel and worthwhile idea to lay out the Bill's general scheme before detailed drafting of the legislation. It will go to the justice committee and other interested parties, including I hope this House. The legislation takes on board the important recommendations of the Mahon tribunal report. We could have a useful debate on it here at an opportune moment, perhaps even before the justice committee has concluded its consideration of the Bill. We are all aware, anecdotally at least, of the way in which money was sloshing around and how public officials and others succumbed. I am referring to developer-led projects in provincial towns where managers may only have been thinking in terms of increased rates. Towns were crucified as a result and have suffered so badly all over the place.

We could have a useful consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government as to how he is treating recommendations contained in the report and how they could affect local authorities. I ask the Leader to arrange for such a debate at a suitable juncture.