Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I never said one word about the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts. I have an open mind about which committee should conduct the investigation. The Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions was the one originally designed to examine the issue of investigations. It might well be reformed and revised to ensure it could adjudicate on the holding of such an investigation. At this point it is not for us to say which committee should conduct the inquiry, but it is clear we need full powers of inquiry for Oireachtas committees generally.

On a different note, I welcome the news that negotiations are beginning on the rescheduling of Ireland's bank debt and that a decision will be made by October. Members on all sides of the House very much hope the negotiations will go well and that they will result in a successful resolution for this country in October.

I commend the Atlantic Philanthropies organisation funded by Chuck Feeney for the immense work it has done in recent years in terms of investment in civil society in Ireland and the huge contribution it has made on many issues, including children's rights and penal reform.