Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I fundamentally disagree. I cannot see any reason the report cannot be released to the Dáil. Why would something be given to a Minister and it would not be considered appropriate to give it to the Dáil or both Houses? We will not agree on that.

In terms of the independence of the office, the courts are independent but one can appeal a decision. Just because a body is independent does not mean that it is not subject to accountability. In this land, even if one goes as high as the Supreme Court and one loses one's case, one can consider going to the European Court of Justice. There are courts of appeal. Nobody is beyond reproach. That is the case even with the Ombudsman. I have the utmost respect for the various sectoral ombudsman offices and the Ombudsman but one can appeal their decisions, however, and hold them to account for what they do.Who watches the watchers? Everybody is accountable so it is not a defence. Rather than going back and forth, if we are not going to reach agreement on these matters then we will have more votes.