Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sure that many Senators heard on the RTÉ news bulletins and from other media outlets this morning about the publication of a report that was commissioned by Government, which has recommended legislative change. It recommends such change in the context of corruption, fraud and economic crime. This raises extremely serious concerns. The Hamilton review, which is the report in question, states that legislation is required to deal with the ethics breaches of former Oireachtas Members. That was reported in the hourly radio news bulletins between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. It clearly presents a challenge for the Oireachtas. This report clearly needs to be the subject of a debate, when appropriate. I suggest that once it has been cleared by the Government and in various quarters, there should be a presentation on the Hamilton review and that the House should debate it early in the new year. If there is a suggestion that there is something wrong in the Oireachtas, then the Oireachtas should at least have some debate on the matter. When appropriate, and given that these kinds of reports must undergo a particular process, I am asking the Leader to keep the matter actively under consideration and for there to be statements and debate on it in the House.