Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is appropriate. We all make mistakes. I have said things before that I regretted saying and I have apologised for them. Members here know that. There is no weakness in apologising and admitting one made a mistake. I put it to the Leader that the foundation of the banking inquiry is rocked owing to what happened last night at the Committee of Selection and the manner in which the Government has dealt with it here today, which was unprecedented. The public want a banking inquiry and deserve to have one. They also deserve a non-partisan banking inquiry. An independent committee of the Seanad met and according to procedures, selected two Members of this House for appointment to the inquiry. The Government parties are not happy with that decision. That is politics, life and democracy. That decision stands. It was made under Standing Order 89 and according to the Government's motion which came before this House on 14 May. As far as we are concerned, that is a separate issue. It is done and dusted in that two Members have been selected.

I acknowledge that the Leader has withdrawn part of the remarks he made earlier.