Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I am happy to speak in this important debate on payments to politicians, their collective amnesia regarding moneys received, and corrupt planning decisions in wider society. In England, they seem to have loans for peerages, but in this country, it is donations for land rezoning or brown envelopes for contract work. Let us stop kidding the public and call a spade a spade. When senior Ministers or leaders of political parties get donations in envelopes in the middle of the night and then claim not to remember the kind donor, the public simply does not believe them. It is as plain and simple as that. That is the reality and what people on the street are saying.

What a country this is, now that we have a Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, who blatantly abuses his power. He shows no respect for due process or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He gloats and brags about taking out the Centre for Public Inquiry, which was established to root out corruption and sleaze. He destroyed Frank Connolly's name by leaking files. He stayed silent on the Greysteel massacre and evidence regarding collusion. He huffs and puffs about crime while working-class people are slaughtered on our streets.

This political bully and intellectual snob has to be challenged, and I do so tonight. He is silent regarding his colleagues' amnesia, since he too will look after his powerful and wealthy friends. He should resign and apologise to the Irish people for damaging the integrity of the office of Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This is clearly where I stand. He should also apologise once more to Deputy Gormley and the Green Party for his recent remarks. A little humility might do him well in future.

Regarding the motion, I commend the Green Party for highlighting the sleaze and corruption in Irish political life. I agree with their philosophy and political vision that green politics is clean politics. I advise them, however, not to get into bed with right-wing, conservative, pro-war, pro-greed, pro-exploitation parties. They will destroy that vision and damage their integrity.

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