Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

——feel more spinned against than spinning, with the honourable exception of Deputy Fiona O'Malley.

Undoubtedly, Deputy O'Malley's colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, will have noted that the Pillory Abolition Act 1816 is being repealed. However, before he becomes overly enthused, this does not mean that the pillory is returning. Undoubtedly, he has a long list of people who he would like to see placed in the stocks. On the contrary, I hope he finds himself in a difficult situation in another sphere.

The Acts make interesting reading and several of them refer to mining. Given recent news items, it is appropriate to note that for centuries, what can only be described as robber barons came here from the neighbouring island and stole our natural resources. Sadly, we are witnessing a native Government give away our natural resources to another breed of baronial grabbers for nothing and without any return. I speak of the Corrib gas field. The actions in respect of that deal are comparable to the actions of the Members of the College Green Parliament, some of whom sold their country out. Some of them, having accepted bribes from the British Government, voted in the Act of Union. As Deputy Boyle has observed, one cannot let the moment pass without noting that the Act of Union itself is mentioned in this Bill.

Yesterday, I happened to pick up one of Fianna Fáil's popular publications. I noticed that the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Kitt, takes a good colour photograph. He must have influence within his party because he appeared on several pages. I refer to Fianna Fáil's new paper, which bears the masthead, The Nation.

What complemented the humorous aspect of this Bill and what I was taken by was the headline on page seven which referred to the "end of empire's laws". This was stirring stuff. The associated article informed us that the Taoiseach had outlined his strategy for removing the legacy of 800 years of foreign unrepresentative Government.

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