Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Developments in the European Union and Ireland's Presidency of the European Council: Statements with An Taoiseach
The Senator also asked about a bank inquiry. I have read the report of the Committee of Public Accounts and we also have an Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government also has the opportunity now to reflect on whether there is a need to set up another new committee. I answered questions on this issue in the Dáil yesterday. I find it extraordinary that in the run-up to the point where the Government made its decision in respect of the bank guarantee, there is no evidence in my Department of any of the delegations that came to the Government or of what was said or the rationale applied to the decision. I made the point in the Dáil that if one met the community council from, for example, Clonakilty, people would be taking notes so that what was said would be on the record for the future. The Government wants to reflect on the issue of an inquiry so that it does what is right. While it is fundamentally important to understand what happened, we do not want a situation where we make a decision and go down the wrong road of interminable inquiries which lead nowhere. I must respect the decision which the people made last year when asked the question about whistleblowers. The question was rejected. It would have made it easier for the Government or for any Government to have an inquiry of this nature.
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