Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appeal for the Cathaoirleach's indulgence in advance.

I ask the Leader to consider asking the Taoiseach for an immediate criminal investigation of the Anglo Irish Bank tapes. As a finance spokesman in this House, for what little input I would have had, I, for one, would be quite happy to co-operate with any inquiry, be it by the Garda or anybody else. In fact, I would prefer to talk to the Garda because some kind of witch hunt in the committees here could prejudice criminal investigations and affect the outcome for which the public yearn, which is genuine prosecutions in this area. I would advise the Taoiseach to bring in the Garda Commissioner, tell him he has until next Easter, ask him what expertise we need to procure on his behalf and whether he needs additional personnel, and let us see tangible results. I notice that Senator Bacik agrees with me. In that matter, let us then move on to other things. If there are tapes in Boston College that implicate Members of these Houses in murder, or if there are tapes in other institutions that would implicate, frankly, the Taoiseach, members of the Government, former members of the Government or other members of that party in wrongdoing in terms of handing out mobile phone licences, then so be it also.