I join Senators Wilson and Gallagher in congratulating our new Leader and wishing him all the very best.

I wish him very well. I have no doubt he will do extraordinary work for the effectiveness of the House.

Cuirfidh mé leis an méid a bhí á rá ag na Seanadóirí Gallagher agus Wilson faoi na coimisiúin a bhí a dtabhairt amach le déanaí don slua muirí. Ní mór dom a rá go bhfuil sé scannalach gan Aire a bheith ann chun an dualgas sin a chomhlíonadh. Tá drochbhail ar an scéal sin faoi na coimisiúin. Ba mhaith geallúint ón Rialtas nach dtarlódh an méid sin arís.

In my remaining time, I want to ask if it is possible to have laid before the House or presented to Members a response from the Government, and the Department of Finance in particular, to the details of the recent report by the European Court of Auditors, which stated that there are deep concerns about the way Ireland is responding to illegal and worrying cross-border action in tax avoidance schemes, money laundering and so on. Five states were indicated and, unfortunately, we are listed among the five laggards. I think it is less than we deserve, when people are up to all sorts of skulduggery and criminality in the border areas and around the country, that, through lack of diligence, we may be facilitating their profiteering at the risk of the goodwill of our society. Can we have a response? Can it be made available to all Members?