Statement regarding Flood Tribunal

"I think that I can say on behalf of everybody that we are indebted to Mr Justice Flood for his sterling work in the Tribunal. There is no doubt that the Flood Tribunal introduced a new era into Irish politics. It has exposed serious wrongdoing in the planning field through the diligence and hard work of Mr Justice Flood and his legal team. Irish society has benefited and will continue to benefit from the work of the Tribunal. While the Government would have preferred and indeed had requested that he decide the costs issue, I understand and appreciate why it is that Mr Justice Flood is now resigning. I accept and respect his decision which has been made in the interests of the Tribunal, its work to date and into the future.

The resignation of Mr Justice Flood is, in many respects, the end of an era. His name will be synonymous with the will and determination of the Dáil, the Seanad and the Irish people to expose and root out malpractice and corruption. This of itself is a significant contribution by him to Irish political history. One has only to look at the public response to his second interim report, published last year, to have an appreciation of the esteem in which Mr Justice Flood is held by the Irish people.

In relation to the issue of costs I have been advised by the Attorney General that new legislation will be required. This legislation will provide a legal basis for a new chairperson of the Tribunal to adjudicate on the issue of costs. The resignation of Mr Justice Flood will thus not prevent the costs issue being decided upon. The Tribunal agrees that the costs issue will be dealt with after the enactment of new legislation in October.

The broader issue of the manner in which future modules or allegations may be disposed of is a matter for discussion by the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is only the Houses of the Oireachtas that can change the Terms of Reference of the Tribunal. The Houses can consider whether this is prudent or desirable, in the light of a letter from the Tribunal of 25 June, relating to its duration and costs. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad by Minister Cullen.

I know that I can join with my colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad in wishing Mr Justice Flood a happy and healthy retirement. He has served us well."