That Dáil Éireann reaffirms its confidence in the Mahon tribunal, and its belief that the tribunal is acting independently without bias and within the remit contained in the terms of reference set by the Oireachtas.
Government amendment
That Dáil Éireann affirms its confidence in the Mahon tribunal and believes it will fulfil the tribunal's mandate pursuant to the amended Terms of Reference established by the Oireachtas; notes that the tribunal was established to inquire urgently into certain planning matters and report to the clerk of the Dáil and make such findings and recommendations as it sees fit; notes the rulings of the Supreme Court in relation to the tribunal of inquiry's terms of reference; notes the projected cost of this tribunal of inquiry, urges the tribunal to continue its work and looks forward to receiving the report of the tribunal expeditiously, in order that the Dáil may debate and deliberate on its findings; urges the early consideration and enactment by the Oireachtas of the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 to underpin the confidence of the public and the
Oireachtas in any future tribunals and to address matters of procedure and practice in the conduct of any such tribunals; welcomes the opportunity to discuss the procedures and practices involved in investigating matters mandated by Oireachtas Éireann; condemns the leaking of tribunal documents as a breach of confidentiality as established by law, and an infringement on the rights of those affected, and supports appropriate actions to investigate such leaks, and further reaffirms the right to confidentiality to which each citizen is entitled in their correspondence with the tribunal.
Labour amendment
A Labour amendment to the Government amendment notes that the House "shares the public concern about the potential costs of the tribunal and having regard to the comments made by the former minister for finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, in which he described the legal fees as 'astronomical' and 'a gravy train', deplores the failure of the Government to take action to reduce the level of legal fees for tribunals generally; - urges the further postponement by the Oireachtas of the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005, pending the completion of the work of the tribunal; - welcomes the opportunity to discuss the procedures and practices involved in investigating matters mandated by Oireachtas Éireann; and - condemns the leaking of tribunal documents by whatever parties or persons may be responsible as an infringement of the rights of those affected, notes the strong denial by the tribunal that it was responsible for any such leaks, and supports appropriate action to investigate such leaks, and further confirms the right to confidentiality to which each citizen is entitled in their correspondence with the tribunal."