Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 11 Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senator Horkan referred to the issue of Dublin City Council and protection payments. The matter was also raised by Senator Conway yesterday. As I stated then, there is a need for the people in Dublin City Council who were involved to be held to account. Senator Horkan asked who knew what and who said what, but it is not a question of that. Rather, it is a question of what the council did. A court case is ongoing and the matter is being investigated by the council, so it would be inappropriate for the Minister to address the House. Dublin City Council needs to determine who authorised the payments, who was involved and who in the council knew. The Senator is trying to apportion political blame to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.