The Ombudsman issued a report in recent days. Regarding that report, the Cathaoirleach of the committee seemed to be criticised by some people when he was Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. I wanted to raise the matter with him. Would it be possible for him to make a statement on the matter to the committee? He is the Chairman of a very important Oireachtas committee. I am not totally au fait with it. I believe it relates to the “lost at sea” scheme and one case on which the Ombudsman, Ms O’Reilly, followed up and felt an injustice had been done to a particular family in County Donegal. There was some comment by one of the Leas-Chathaoirleach’s colleagues in the European Parliament on the matter. Would it be possible for the committee’s Cathaoirleach to make a statement to the committee either tomorrow or at some early stage about it? I understand he indicated to the media that there was not a direct responsibility. However, there seems to be an implicit criticism of him when he was Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and given that he is Chair of this committee, which also has responsibility for many aspects of the marine, he might make a statement to us about it.
Business of Select Committee.
The clerk will be meeting the Chairman later today and will convey what has been said. We shall have to leave it at that for the time being. I wish all members a very happy Christmas.