Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)
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Before I call on the Leader on today's Order of Business, there is a matter from the business of Tuesday, 22 April 2008 which I wish to dispose of before I commence today's proceedings. Senator Jim Walsh has given me notice that he wishes to give a personal explanation. Before I call the Senator, I want to make it clear that I will not allow debate on this matter.

Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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With regard to my comments on the Order of Business on Tuesday, 22 April 2008, I wish to say that it was never my intention to offend anyone. Indeed, as the words "as shop stewards" and "extracting" are deemed to cause offence, I am happy to withdraw them.

As a constitutional republican, I fully respect the separation of powers between the Judiciary and the Oireachtas and have done so for all of my political life. However, this does not deprive me of a right to express fair and reasonable comment in the public interest. The enormous cost of tribunals has been a concern of mine for many years. My consistent criticisms are well-documented in this House and elsewhere.

In this regard, I refer to an exchange of recent correspondence between myself and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which clearly substantiates my serious concerns about this matter. It is my intention to make available a copy of that correspondence to Senators so that they can better understand my position.

I assure the Cathaoirleach and the Members of Seanad Éireann that if I breached Standing Orders, it was not my intention to do so. Lest I have given the impression to the contrary, I would like to clarify that I have absolutely no argument in accepting the Cathaoirleach's impartiality in the manner in which he dealt with me on this matter.