Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator MacSharry and Senator Barrett on their appointment by the Committee of Selection last night. I presume the Clerk of the Seanad has notified the clerk of the banking inquiry of the appointments by the Seanad. Senator Bradford is correct that there is no requirement for the Seanad to approve or not approve this decision as that job has been done. There will be a different set-up to other committees as it will be governed by the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act, which makes specific statutory reference to our Standing Orders. The Act says Standing Orders must be put in place within 50 days of the passing of the Act. This has been done and I assume our existing Standing Orders, which are now governed by statute, are included.

The banking inquiry was set up by a resolution of this House that specifically refers to Standing Order 89 and appointment by the Committee of Selection. The Standing Order refers to the Committee of Selection doing its job of appointing two Members and last night the Committee of Selection complied with the resolution of the House by appointing two Members to the banking inquiry.

I would not like to be the lawyer in the Office of the Attorney General who must examine this. This is a highly complex matter and the Government would be best to leave things alone. The reaction I have heard from the public suggests they do not wish for any perception of bias or interference by the Government in appointing members to the inquiry. The members appointed to the banking inquiry last night were appointed in accordance with the law. As far as I am concerned they are now members of the banking inquiry and I wish them every success and good luck in their work.