Deputy Wilkinson is concerned about the inaccuracy of a statement that was made at a meeting of the committee on 5 February 2004 and he wishes to correct the public record. It is only fair that we allow him to do that.
Business of Joint Committee.
I thank the Chairman for giving me the opportunity to correct statements that were made during the discussions on radiotherapy that took place in the committee on the date that he mentioned. The matter arose from a radio interview in Waterford during which it was stated that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, and the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, had told me and another councillor that the Government had decided that radiotherapy facilities were not coming to Waterford. After a bit of a struggle, I got back on radio and was able to correct that. I want to state here categorically that neither Minister ever said that to me prior the election.
Many articles have since been written about the situation, and I do not want to bore the committee or be parochial. However, it was more than a coincidence that, on the day that the discussions took place here, the lady who wrote one of those articles was present and gave her article to Deputy Cowley, who read it into the record here. I felt that, before something like that was done, Deputy Cowley should at least have had the courtesy - perhaps that is the wrong word - to contact me to check the authenticity of the statement. The journalist in question did not contact me either, but I will leave the journalistic matter to one side, because things like that happen in our way of life.
What concerns me deeply is how radiotherapy has been politicised in Waterford. A number of people in Waterford are disappointed that there are private moves afoot. A planning application was lodged on 22 February, and I have been aware of those moves for a long time.
Deputy Wilkinson is here to correct an erroneous statement. Other matters are not contingent on that, and I ask him only to correct the erroneous statement, because we cannot delve into the other macro interests in Waterford.
I bow to the Chairman's ruling and simply state that the statements that Deputy Cowley made were not correct. I want to place that on record.
I fully understand Deputy Wilkinson's concern and I do not want to develop the discussion much further, but Deputy Cowley is not here and I did not hear him mention any councillor's name. It is important that be recorded. As I recall, he said "Fianna Fáil councillors".
Can I read from the same journalist's——
No, I am not interested in journalists. That is Deputy Wilkinson's business. However, if it is on the record——
She quotes Deputy Cowley.
I am talking about the Official Report; what journalists do is their business.
I accept that, but I am talking about what Deputy Cowley did.
It is unfortunate that he is not here. The Official Report is the only way that we can know what he said.
We will look for the Official Report of the meeting.
As I recall, Deputy Cowley said "councillors" but did not name any councillor. I am not defending Deputy Cowley; that is his business.
We have been trying to source the record all morning. It was supposed to be here for the meeting. The Clerk has been trying to locate it, but has not succeeded.
I want to state that clearly. It is a fact, and whatever the Chairman wishes to do thereafter, I will accept that.
We will make a copy of the record of the meeting available to all the members, including Deputies Wilkinson and Cowley. We will make Deputy Cowley aware of Deputy Wilkinson's statement.
That is fine. I thank the Chairman for listening to me and for according me the time and the opportunity to clarify matters.