Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding cuts in terms of the budget, as Senator Darragh O'Brien will be aware, I am not privy to what will be in the budget and, therefore, we will have to wait until 5 December to get those details.

Senator Whelan and other Senators referred to the case of the death of Fr. Niall Molloy. I am informed that an examination of the incident referred to by the Senator is ongoing, every line of inquiry is being pursued and on receipt of the final report from the Commissioner, the Minister will review the situation. I understand that officers carrying out the examination are continuing to keep the family members of the deceased updated on progress. People will fully appreciate the concerns of the family. In any case where criminal behaviour is suspected it is only through a Garda investigation and where evidence of criminal wrongdoing is available through the submission of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions that persons can be brought fully to account. I am sure Senator Whelan and the other Senators who raised this issue will agree that in the first instance we need to allow the current Garda examination to proceed to its conclusion before any further action can be taken.

I thank Senator Barrett for his comments about Remembrance Day. It is important the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister attended the ceremonies, as the Senator pointed out. I will certainly inquire about having a debate on the tax matters he raised.

Senator Mac Conghail raised the issue of the arts and the matter of securing ¤1 million in savings from the amalgamation of the boards of the National Library of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland. I believe it is very sensible to do so. They are only 50 m away from each other and the securing of ¤1 million in savings is not to be scoffed at. The Senator should be aware that the Government is nurturing and supporting culture and the arts in Ireland to a very large degree.