Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank those Members on all sides of the House who have made contributions in support of the Bill and for taking the time to endorse it. Like some others, I was aghast at the initial comment from the Fianna Fáil spokesman. Times have changed so much that someone from Fianna Fáil, the republican party, can defend the oldest quango in Ireland. It is 168 years old. Above all, I am aghast that a man from the county of Seán South would find himself in agreement with Queen Victoria. My God, where are we?

I am not in agreement with Victoria, although I am sure she was a very good person. She did not do much for Ireland but nevertheless we will leave that for another occasion. It is not Victoria's fault that the oldest quango in Ireland still exists and, according to the Fianna Fáil spokesman, it will continue to exist. Will the remaining individual monument works companies that have managed to survive in this city and county also continue to exist? If I am to take as read what the Fianna Fáil spokesman said in opposing this concept, in five or ten years there will be very few independent monument works in Dublin city or county. I am certain there will be a monopoly, given the track record of the past 25 years.

There is a link between Ireland's oldest quango and the commercial entities it has established. I am referring to the Glasnevin Monument Works and Glasnevin Florists, which are private limited liability entities.

It will be no surprise to anybody that a scan of the directorships of the charity and the two private entities shows that they are almost one and the same. Deputy Dowds referred to the status of charities and how they have been punched around in recent times - for very good reasons, although not all of them. This charity is under scrutiny for bad practices including anti-competitive practices that make it almost impossible for the existing monument companies to earn a decent living and get a full week's work. Across the Chamber we agree on the principle of it.

The only way to rectify the problem is through a regulator. As Deputy Broughan said, it is a serious enough matter to be the responsibility of an appointed regulator. I do not suggest the formation of another quango. This is a very small country and there is no need to open a great office in Harcourt Street or Merrion Road. Can we not learn from past mistakes? The regulator could operate alone with no need for large amounts of staff and great appointments. There are enough gifted people around to take on the additional minor responsibility of monitoring the cemeteries of Ireland. It is ridiculous for people to make such an argument because it is not about that.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his stewardship of the debate and the Minister for his willingness to take the Bill. Hopefully we can work together and resolve both the anti-competitiveness and the high cost of burial in Dublin. I hope also there are enough of us sufficiently interested in it to work with the Minister to bring about a resolution.

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