Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If it has any information, we would like it to bring it forward. The changes to these Standing Orders, which I am presenting to the Seanad and presented to the Dáil last week, are the beginning of the process. Quite rightly, the composition of the committee has still to be decided. Let me assure Members that this is not a witch-hunt on anyone's behalf. They should cast their minds back to October and November 2011. We had a referendum on inquiries, which, unfortunately, was defeated. I assure Members that had it been passed, the banking inquiry would have been well underway at this stage. This is no witch-hunt on behalf of anyone. We reflected on the referendum result, as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform said he would. We brought forward the legislation last year, which was passed and enacted in the middle of 2013. The Taoiseach said in September 2013 that he would set up a banking inquiry. I understand what the party opposite has done over the years and perhaps that is why we are in the trouble we are in. It would have written this inquiry on the back of an envelope but we want to put the structures in place correctly to make sure we have strength, accountability and legal advice. We have sought legal advice and I trust and would not question the legal advice we received from the Houses of the Oireachtas in changing these Standing Orders. We will present the terms of reference to Fianna Fáil and everyone else. This is no political witch-hunt. Perhaps the Fianna Fáil Senators want to make out that it is one. Perhaps we would have that if they were on this side of the House.