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<title>Thomas Byrne - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/mp/?pid=53</link>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:17+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g40.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc;€™ Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g40.0</link>
	<description>That is nonsense.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="40.1">That is nonsense.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g37.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc;€™ Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g37.0</link>
	<description>It does not.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="37.1">It does not.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g35.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc;€™ Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g35.0</link>
	<description>Deputy Gilmore is taking rubbish.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="35.1">Deputy Gilmore is taking rubbish.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g32.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc;€™ Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g32.0</link>
	<description>That is rubbish.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="32.1">That is rubbish.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g16.0">
	<title>Leaders&acirc;€™ Questions | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-08.2.0&amp;m=135#g16.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy told us a lot of things that were not true.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="16.1">The Deputy told us a lot of things that were not true.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-08T10:30:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.666.0&amp;m=135#g667.10">
	<title>Garda Stations. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-02.666.0&amp;m=135#g667.10</link>
	<description>I was prompted to raise the issue of Garda stations in County Meath by a petition some constituents from Dunboyne sent to me.  It is not the first time I have raised the issue of Garda resources...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="667.2">I was prompted to raise the issue of Garda stations in County Meath by a petition some constituents from Dunboyne sent to me.  It is not the first time I have raised the issue of Garda resources in my constituency in response to a petition.</p><p pid="667.3">I acknowledge the great work gardaĂ­ do day to day in my constituency in the fight against crime and dealing with serious accidents.  There was a serious robbery in Bettystown last night and I know from one of the victims that the gardaĂ­ did an amazing job.  That incident, however, highlights some of the issues I am raising.</p><p pid="667.4">There have been improvements in Garda numbers in Meath since the new division of Meath was created, after splitting the Louth-Meath division.  There are still towns, however, such as Stamullen and Ratoath, without Garda stations while Dunboyne and Duleek need improved facilities and 24-hour cover.  All of the towns I have mentioned were small villages that have grown hugely in recent years and are now big towns.  There is a perception in some of these towns that the lack of a Garda presence or 24-hour cover makes it easier for burglars and robbers to exploit them.  People worry that they are more likely to be victims of crime if there are no Garda stations in the town in which they live.  I wonder if the Minister might do some research into that.  If it is not true, we could allay peopleâ€™s fears.</p><p pid="667.5">The perception certainly exists for my constituents, however, particularly those in Dunboyne who have contacted me recently.  Previously I have raised the concerns brought to me by residents groups in Stamullen and Duleek.  Despite the hard work of the well known gardaĂ­ in Duleek, people believe further resources are necessary.</p><p pid="667.6">My constituent who wrote to me stated with regard to Dunboyne that there has been a large increase in crime, particularly breaking into houses and cars, vandalism, robberies and violent attacks.  She said that with a significantly larger population the area needs a full-time Garda station and that local people are concerned about this and feel vulnerable.  According to my constituent, the robbers are aware of the situation and exploit it fully â€” sometimes people must wait an hour for a Garda response as a squad car could easily be 20 miles away responding to another call.  There is plenty of time for the robber to take what he wants comfortably and leave without being intercepted.</p><p pid="667.7">That is the perception in the constituency and I would like the Minister to carry out research to see if the facts bear that out.  We should deal with these issues on the basis of facts.  The perception, however, exists and it is up to us to address it.</p><p pid="667.8">In fairness to the gardaĂ­, there have been significant improvements in services and initiatives such as Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch are massively important and very popular.  I recently spoke at the launch of Beauparc-Yellow Furze community alert in my constituency and the event was very well attended, while a similar launch in Stamullen attracted large numbers.</p><p pid="667.9">The gardaĂ­ in Meath are well attuned to the needs of the community but they need further resources.  To give confidence to these communities and discourage criminals, a programme of Garda station building should be undertaken and those Garda stations that are not fit for purpose should be removed and replaced, while those Garda stations that are not open 24 hours should be opened all day.  Not alone would such a programme benefit communities and the gardaĂ­ who serve them, but they would also result in employment in the construction industry that is badly needed.</p><p pid="667.10">GardaĂ­ are needed on the beat, and that is where they want to be, but the physical presence of a station is very important for a growing community and acts as a deterrent to crime.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-02T17:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g535.0">
	<title>Social Welfare: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g535.0</link>
	<description>&acirc;€”&acirc;€”but I am not moving house.  I urge the Minister to deal with the issue as it links back into repossessions, one&acirc;€™s ability to pay debt, helping families and the pressure on mortgage...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="535.1">â€”â€”but I am not moving house.  I urge the Minister to deal with the issue as it links back into repossessions, oneâ€™s ability to pay debt, helping families and the pressure on mortgage interest supplement.  We should consider what people can afford to pay on their mortgage.  One should not have to pay more than 35% of oneâ€™s net income on a mortgage.  The Government will have to take the lead and force the banks to do that.  We are familiar with the term, postponing the inevitable.  We must consider the alternative to that which is bringing forward the inevitable.  That is what we need to do in many of these cases so as to prevent some of the problems that are arising in terms of the overloading of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, mortgage interest supplement payments and the courts.</p><p pid="535.2">I made another suggestion on repossessions to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which was to take all family home repossession cases out of the High Court.  The Minister told me he does not think that is possible, but it should be possible to introduce legislation to restrict all repossession of family homes to the Circuit Court.  As a solicitor I have dealt with business repossessions in the Circuit Court and it does not strike me as very nice if Start Mortgages is able to bring repossession cases for average homes into the High Court when people do not have the resources.  The attendant costs of High Court cases are much higher and that adds to the ultimate debt.  I congratulate the High Court and the Courts Service, which is much more efficient than most Circuit Courts.  There would be an in-built delay in the process if such cases are taken in the Circuit Court.</p><p pid="535.3">On the issue of civil debt and prison sentences, I have been involved in a case where I tried to get someone sent to prison for not paying a civil debt.  It was a family law situation where the father of a child refused to pay maintenance.  He was sent to prison as a last resort.  We did not want that but the man was working and he was completely failing in his obligations.  There is room in some limited circumstances, where people can afford it, for them to go to prison for non-payment of debts.  I cannot see how anyone would be sent to prison if they are genuinely making an effort to pay back debt.  I have not come across it.  Imprisonment was more than justified in the case to which I referred.  In the same court I have seen a person let off their entire debt because the judge felt they should never have been given a loan in the first place.  Judges can be flexible in their own courts but perhaps legislation is required to give them more flexibility.</p><p pid="535.4">I referred a constituent to MABS early last summer and he is back to me again having obtained a car loan for â‚¬15,000.  There is something wrong with the system as some people have far too easy access to credit.  In spite of all the difficulties and the lack of credit people are still getting credit they should never have got it.  Perhaps that is not the case in 2009 but it was certainly happening as late as summer 2008.  Judges will have to take into account whether some people should ever have got loans from banks.  If the banks were found to be at fault then in some cases they should not be able to get the money back.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g533.0">
	<title>Social Welfare: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g533.0</link>
	<description>I am pleased to speak on this motion, which relates to the most important issue we face as a country, namely, the joblessness situation.  What we are concentrating on here is what we do in terms...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="533.1">I am pleased to speak on this motion, which relates to the most important issue we face as a country, namely, the joblessness situation.  What we are concentrating on here is what we do in terms of an immediate response to provide some help to the increasing numbers of people who have lost their jobs.  Currently, 11% of people are on the live register, 320,000 of whom are fully unemployed.  It is crucial that they get the welfare they need as soon as possible and that any debts they may have taken on when they could afford to do so are dealt with properly and fairly.  Above all, we must ensure that people do not lose their homes.  That must be a top priority for the Government and the House that people are supported to remain in their houses.  Not alone is significant damage done to individual families who lose their houses â€“ thankfully the numbers who have lost their houses are still low â€“ but when that happens extensive damage is done to the economy also.</p><p pid="533.2">One can say what one likes about it but one of the drivers of the economy was the increase in house prices and a decrease in prices is bad for an economy.  That is accepted by economists all over the world.  The more repossessions that take place the more availability that will create in the housing market, which will lower prices to an artificial level because supply is driven artificially rather than by the market.  That will further lower prices, which does not help the property market in any way nor the economy generally.  In addition, there are the costs of housing people who have lost their homes and the associated social costs.</p><p pid="533.3">One of the big issues we will have to face is that of negative equity.  Some refer to it as people being under water in terms of their property value <i>vis-Ă€-vis</i> the mortgage.  According to economists, negative equity is one of the factors that reduce oneâ€™s incentive to pay back oneâ€™s mortgage even if one can.  If one is still in a good job and oneâ€™s family home or apartment has reduced by 30% or 40%, which has occurred, one has less of an incentive to pay the mortgage.  Negative equity makes it almost impossible for people to re-finance to a cheaper mortgage when they are in difficulties.  They might be able to continue to pay if the option of re-financing was open to them.  Some foreign institutions, largely owned by our nearest neighbour â€” in effect state banks â€” are not passing on the full mortgage reductions announced by the European Central Bank.</p><p pid="533.4">Some people who have jobs are having difficulty paying their mortgage and if they could easily transfer it then those difficulties could be alleviated.  However, negative equity is preventing them from doing that.  In addition, one cannot expand or change oneâ€™s home if one needs to do so.  I am aware of people who bought a one-bedroom apartment who got married and had twins but they cannot move up the ladder because of negative equity.  That is something we will have to tackle.  It may be a matter for the Minister for Finance, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government or the Department of Social and Family Affairs to consider what can be done about negative equity.</p><p pid="533.5">I have examined schemes in America and other locations around the world that have not been altogether successful but, nevertheless, we should consider them.  They involve the concept of debt forgiveness where the principal sum owed is amended and banks take the hit.  All manner of excuses are offered by banks as to why they cannot do that.  However, if the reality is that the banks will never recover the principal, or the value of the property will not recover in the immediate or mid-term future then there is no point in pretending a principal exists if a house is to be repossessed and the bank will have to take a hit at that stage.  It would be preferable for banks to take the hit before that happens, thereby encouraging borrowers to keep paying their mortgage and make it easier for them to do that and in so doing to maintain the economy.</p><p pid="533.6">There are ways of doing it.  Schemes have been introduced in some parts of the world whereby an institution forgives some of the principal but charges a slightly higher interest rate.  There are pros and cons to the solutions that can be found.  As people could take advantage of such schemes, at all times those solutions should only apply to principal family dwellings and to those who are most in need.  We will have to consider the issue of negative equity.  In a place such as Stamullen in my constituency nearly everybody has moved in since the 2001 census and many but not all of them are in negative equity.  That is true of many of my neighbours, probably including me â€“ I have not checked latelyâ€”â€”</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g531.0">
	<title>Social Welfare: Motion (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.487.0&amp;m=135#g531.0</link>
	<description>I wish to share time with Deputy Margaret Conlon and Deputy Charlie O&acirc;€™Connor.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="531.1">I wish to share time with Deputy Margaret Conlon and Deputy Charlie Oâ€™Connor.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-26.444.0&amp;m=135#g445.6">
	<title>Road Safety. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-26.444.0&amp;m=135#g445.6</link>
	<description>I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for road safety, Deputy Noel Ahern, for being in the House.  I welcome this opportunity to speak on the national...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="445.2">I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for road safety, Deputy Noel Ahern, for being in the House.  I welcome this opportunity to speak on the national roads programme and road safety, particularly in light of an extremely serious road accident that occurred in my constituency in Slane, County Meath, on Monday.  The accident involved a lorry, delivery truck and seven cars which collided on the main N2 road in the centre of the village.  Some seven people and a young baby were brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and, thank God, nobody sustained serious injuries.  My thoughts are with those caught up in the incident and the gardaĂ­ and emergency services who performed wonderful work on the day.  However, this accident highlights yet again the need for a review of road safety on the N2 and in particular the urgent need for the NRA and the Minister to proceed with a bypass of Slane.</p><p pid="445.3">It is unfortunate that yet again the front page headlines of the <i>Meath Chronicle</i> describe an accident in Slane.  I have another newspaper article from 1 September 2002 whose headline is: â€śYet another road accident in Slane.â€ť  As most people know, Slane is an elegant hillside village of outstanding natural beauty overlooking the Boyne.  Many of the problems, although not all of them and not those this week, are caused by the N2 bridge over the River Boyne.  This is a very historic village, proud to be associated with Francis Ledwidge and many other people from St. Erc down through the ages.  However, over the past 40 years Slane has become choked with heavy traffic and this affects the social, community and commercial life of the village.  More than 20 people have lost their lives at Slane bridge.  There are accidents there on a regular basis.  There was an accident on Monday in the centre of the village and only a few weeks ago there was another accident at the bridge.  Accidents happen all the time and there will be more.  I am glad I am speaking today in the absence of deaths or serious injuries there this week.</p><p pid="445.4">Residents and I have been in regular contact with the NRA and the Minister for Transport to ensure that the Slane bypass progresses.  However, residents are not entirely happy with progress on the issue.  The NRA has kept in touch with me on the issue and it has completed some studies and reviews, but it is time for shovels, spades, JCBs and earth movers to get this job under way.  The argument in favour of it is utterly compelling.  According to the census, people in my constituency are more likely than people anywhere else to own a car and to use it for daily commuting.  That is a fact.  This has clear implications for transport provision and infrastructure in the community.  While that shows the need for even more public transport than we have, it has implications for road safety.  Meath has the fastest growing population of any county outside Dublin.  It has grown by more than 22% in the past seven years.</p><p pid="445.5">When complete, the Slane bypass would enable motorists to bypass Slane and also remove rat-running traffic from surrounding county roads.  However, the M1 connects very conveniently to Ardee for traffic which needs to go north of Ardee up to County Monaghan and beyond, but that traffic does not use the M1.  There are issues for the NRA and Meath County Council to discuss outside this Chamber and I would like the Minister to bring that to their attention.  There are arguments to ban lorries from the village at certain times of the day and the Minister may refer that to the NRA because that is an issue for it.</p><p pid="445.6">A large amount of money has been allocated for roads, as has just been discussed, and it is very important to keep building and planning our roads with the primary objective of reducing carnage, preventing accidents and allowing communities such as Slane to grow, prosper and celebrate, and to develop the important heritage they have in that village.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-26T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.395.0&amp;m=135#g582.0">
	<title>Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.395.0&amp;m=135#g582.0</link>
	<description>I picked up a copy of The Daily Telegraph earlier which is not something I do ordinarily, but it printed a picture of the new French Minister for Overseas Territories, Christine Kelly.  Perhaps...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="582.1">I picked up a copy of <i>The Daily Telegraph </i>earlier which is not something I do ordinarily, but it printed a picture of the new French Minister for Overseas Territories, Christine Kelly.  Perhaps we should examine our diaspora in this context.  However, I read a front page article and thought that a number of RTEâ€™s economics gurus had emigrated.  The article states:</p><p pid="582.2">There are growing fears that the Government may be over-extending the public finances in response to the recession. Some fear the combined cost of banking bail-outs alongside economic measures could cause Britain to lose its top-level credit rating, raising the prospect of having to call on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help.</p><p pid="582.3">This articles highlights the issue raised by the Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach and all serious commentators.  We are an island nation floating in the world economy and totally dependent on what happens in the global economy with limited power over our own economic sovereignty.  However, we must do whatever we can to make sure the public finances are in order.  Deflation is a threat to the economy but a short burst is probably needed to restore competitiveness.  That means reducing wages and prices.  However, too much deflation could cause a reduction in consumption, thereby reducing Exchequer tax receipts.  Meanwhile, peopleâ€™s buying power would be vastly increased with interest rates remaining low.  One must ask at what level of deflation and lower tax receipts will the Government state it will reduce expenditure on social welfare and other transfers to citizens and point out to them that they are gaining because of deflation.  That is a difficult political message to sell but that case will have to be made at some point.</p><p pid="582.4">Inflation poses the greater risk.  Many of my constituents shop in the North.  While I have never criticised them, I do not agree with them in the current circumstances.  The British economy is experiencing significant inflation.  Prices generally have increased by 3% year on year with food prices increasing by 9%.  People must realise they will not always obtain better value abroad.</p><p pid="582.5">I urge the Minister to continue as best he can with the capital expenditure programme.  Schools building projects and the Slane bypass are important in my constituency.</p><p pid="582.6">The decision by the trade unions to call off the national day of action is a significant step and I urge IBEC to be more conciliatory in its public statements.  Every time the organisation issues a statement it annoys the hell out of many people and that is not the point of social partnership.  Its representatives need to be measured in what they say and more conciliatory towards the trade unions because some of their statements have not been conducive to the public good.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.395.0&amp;m=135#g578.0">
	<title>Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-25.395.0&amp;m=135#g578.0</link>
	<description>The Deputy would not talk to the Taoiseach before he left Fianna F&Atilde;&iexcl;il, even when the Taoiseach wanted to talk to him.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="578.1">The Deputy would not talk to the Taoiseach before he left Fianna FĂˇil, even when the Taoiseach wanted to talk to him.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-25T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g376.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g376.0</link>
	<description>Perhaps something can be done in that regard, but it should be done in practice rather than in law.  The law must be clear.  I commend the legislation.  Will the Minister examine the limits, as I...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="376.1">Perhaps something can be done in that regard, but it should be done in practice rather than in law.  The law must be clear.  I commend the legislation.  Will the Minister examine the limits, as I believe they are too high?  He has examined the matter in more detail than I have and I accept his word on the matter.  Following the local elections the Minister must examine how much was spent and by whom.  I also look forward to the legislation on donations and the proposed reduction in limits promised by the Taoiseach at the Ard-Fheis, which was welcomed by all sides.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g374.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g374.0</link>
	<description>They probably were, but it has occurred across the board and it happened to me as recently as the last referendum.  At that time a poster was repeatedly re-erected in a particular part of the...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="374.1">They probably were, but it has occurred across the board and it happened to me as recently as the last referendum.  At that time a poster was repeatedly re-erected in a particular part of the constituency.  It causes annoyance and I am unsure what can be done.  It is very difficult for us to do anything in that regard.  Rather than the council coming down hard on candidates, it may be possible to have some provision in practice to allow candidates a number of hours to remove posters if they are spotted instead of simply issuing fines immediately.  This would give a chance to people to take down posters.  Deputy Niall Collins made that suggestion.  He was a victim of such a situation and he is in the House now.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g372.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g372.0</link>
	<description>I could see many of them change their minds at their doors when I knocked on them.  The 60 days give people an opportunity to interact with the electorate, and many people make up their minds in...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="372.1">I could see many of them change their minds at their doors when I knocked on them.  The 60 days give people an opportunity to interact with the electorate, and many people make up their minds in that period.  Before that period, many people have no interest in local, European or national elections.  I cannot see any of these limits causing problems.  We certainly know of one Senator who spent a fortune on a local election and in an unsuccessful general election.  He was very critical of donations in other respects and is causing much trouble for his own party at the moment.  It is madness to spend that kind of money on an election.  It may work if it is spent effectively, but if people see big billboards or big fancy advertisements in newspapers, they will wonder how the candidate can afford it or who is paying for it.</p><p pid="372.2">Sometimes it can be a disadvantage to have the most glossy posters and advertisements.  I would advise many of my candidates that an ordinary word processor is enough to get the message across in a local election.  The electorate will not be happy if large amounts of money are spent on glossy brochures, most of which they do not read anyway.  They are more likely to read a more personal document, which inevitably costs less but usually requires more effort from the candidate.  That is appreciated by the public.</p><p pid="372.3">Since 1999, election candidates were always required to declare their election expenditure, a requirement that was brought in by my colleague from County Meath, the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey.  I prepared some of those forms for my father in a few elections.  When we saw the returns of other candidates, we were quite surprised as we felt we were vastly outspent.  When we listened to what people were saying they had spent and looked at what they spent, we were quite surprised that we were close to top of the list.  Spot checks were made by SIPO, which took a strong interest in it.  I am not sure if SIPO is involved in this aspect, as candidates must send their returns to the local authorities, but there should be checks to ensure that everybody is complying with the rules.</p><p pid="372.4">I predict that the vast majority of candidates would spend far less than the permitted limit, because they simply do not have the money now.  Fundraising by politicians is more difficult at all levels.  It will get more difficult following the proposals made by the Taoiseach, but he has challenged us to try to raise more through small donations.  The current US President has succeeded in doing this effectively, although I am sure he got many large donations as well.  In the US, corporations are banned from donating to politicians and political parties.  I agree with that, because I do not see the value in allowing limited companies or plcs to participate in the democratic process.  There is a role for the people involved in those companies, as business people should be involved in politics, but they should be donating the money themselves, or their employees should do so voluntarily.  I do not see the point in allowing a company to take part in the democratic process.  It is banned in the US federal system and it might be something worth examining here.</p><p pid="372.5">I do not have any urban councils in my constituency, but I am familiar with Drogheda Borough Council, in which about 400 voters used to vote in the Meath East constituency, something that is no longer the case thanks to the Constituency Commission.  I am also very familiar with Navan Town Council.  Although I do not wish to discuss individuals, my father is standing for election in one local electoral area and a different borough council area.  The one quarter limit will hit him hard, but I am unsure if he would spend it in any case.  However, even if he were to be able to spend it, there is only a very small crossover between the area of Drogheda east in the county council and Drogheda south in the borough council.  Less than 10% of voters in the borough district and probably a good deal less again in the county council district is at issue, proving there will be anomalies.</p><p pid="372.6">However, it is reasonable that a reduction in the limit is proposed for candidates standing in both districts as usually there is a large cross-over.  Any candidate standing in the Navan Town Council and the Navan County Council elections is located within the Naval local electoral area.  All of the Kells Town Council area is within the Kells electoral area.  There are some anomalies throughout the country and I do not know what it is possible to do in that regard.  However, if someone wishes to spend a good deal of money running in such a constituency where there is only a small crossover the proposed legislation may be unjust.</p><p pid="372.7">Candidates such as my father and others would be entitled to spend one quarter of the â‚¬7,500 limit in the borough council election, a substantial amount of money totalling just less than â‚¬2,000.  I do not know of any candidate in the elections who will spend more than that amount.  It would be madness to do so.  It is possible to have leaflets printed up very effectively and cheaply.  Many people do not put up posters for local elections and believe they are at a disadvantage.  Is there an argument for banning posters from local elections?  There may be but that would be undemocratic.</p><p pid="372.8">While I have been mildly critical of the high level of the spending limits, it is clear the Minister has researched the matter thoroughly with the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and there is a rationale for those limits.  I am pleased about that and I am pleased he has engaged in consultation with the committee and with Members of the House.  In the short time available it may not be possible to examine the matter in detail at this stage.  If people spend such amounts during an election, the matter should be examined later.</p><p pid="372.9">There is an argument that sitting councillors have a significant advantage over newcomers, but that depends to which party such people are connected, especially this year.  If limits are too low there is a disadvantage to newcomers.  I cannot foresee anyone standing for a borough council or town council election spending â‚¬7,500, although perhaps I will eat my words after the election.  The Minister would have examined the figures in this regard.</p><p pid="372.10">I refer to posters and I speak as someone who was fined, wrongly I suggest, by Meath County Council.  I accepted my punishment for having posters up too early.  As the Minister makes clear, there is no legislation covering when posters may go up or when a candidate may start to put them up.  The â‚¬100 fine I received could have been challenged in court, but I was not going to waste the courtâ€™s time on that issue.  It has more important things to do.  The Minister has made it clear that the legislation is silent on this aspect.</p><p pid="372.11">It is probably correct to have a start date.  However, if people are active early with a limited number of appropriate, effective posters it does impress the electorate and suggests that such candidates are on the ball and willing to fight hard for the seat.  Perhaps we are creating an even playing field for candidates who are not as effective.  However, I suppose it causes some annoyance.</p><p pid="372.12">I was glad when my posters became an issue of controversy during the election, because there was a complaint from a party on the opposite side of the House.  It gave me a good deal of national coverage at the time on the radio and in newspapers.  There was a photograph of my posters in the <i>Irish Independent</i> and it is not possible to buy such publicity, which was not counted as part of the election spend, and I was very pleased about that.  It would have cost me a good deal of money to put an advertisement in the <i>Irish Independent</i> and I thank the parties opposite for that.  It has been made clear by the Minister that hitherto, people putting up posters were not in breach of any legislation.  The legislation was silent on the matter and the Minister is changing that now.</p><p pid="372.13">Some people put up posters advertising public meetings.  However, those rules are broken from time to time because the rules on such posters provide that they must definitively advertise a particular meeting.  Sometimes people put up their normal election posters and place the smaller poster for the public meeting on top of the original poster.  I wonder if that is acceptable.  Perhaps the Minister should examine this matter.</p><p pid="372.14">I am pleased the Minister is clearing up the Litter Pollution Act because upon examination I realised the original legislation is poorly drafted.  It is very unclear regarding what is permitted.  The only clear matter arising from that legislation concerning posters was the seven day rule following an election.  All of us aim to comply with that, because the last thing people wish to see is posters remaining up.  However, most Members will have experienced the problem of people stealing posters during the election and putting them back up after the seven day period is past.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g370.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g370.0</link>
	<description>The 60-day period is useful and relevant.  When the Taoiseach goes to the President to call for an election, many people have already made up their mind.  Thankfully, enough people changed their...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="370.1">The 60-day period is useful and relevant.  When the Taoiseach goes to the President to call for an election, many people have already made up their mind.  Thankfully, enough people changed their minds during the course of the last campaign and we are grateful for that on this side of the House.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g368.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g368.0</link>
	<description>I am talking about the island of Ireland.  I am a republican, just like Deputy Lynch.  I would have problems with people buying their posters in Spain, Turkey or Russia, but I understand that...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="368.1">I am talking about the island of Ireland.  I am a republican, just like Deputy Lynch.  I would have problems with people buying their posters in Spain, Turkey or Russia, but I understand that posters have been bought in these places before, although not by members of Fianna FĂˇil.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g366.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g366.0</link>
	<description>Spending money on food and drink for election workers was never part of the spending limits.  I have not read the provisions of this law, but one would not need that much money to get elected to...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="366.1">Spending money on food and drink for election workers was never part of the spending limits.  I have not read the provisions of this law, but one would not need that much money to get elected to a town or borough council.  Only a handful of votes are needed to get elected to town councils like Belturbet.  I would have thought that a limit of â‚¬2,000 would be in order, but I will go with the Minister as he has looked at this in detail and I have not done so.  He has examined the issue with the environment committee so I will have to accept his judgment, but I think â‚¬7,500 for a town or borough council is three times what any sensible person would spend.  I will obviously accept the Ministerâ€™s advice and the Governmentâ€™s decision on this, but maybe he will listen to what I am saying.</p><p pid="366.2">It is good that the limits for county council elections apply to 60 days before the election.  A legitimate front-loading of expenditure existed before spending limits came in, and I would have done that myself.  When the election period has started, it is quite strict.  If one looks at the spending returns, one notices that a lot of money within the general election limits was not spent.  The money I spent in that three week period was below the limit for a three-seater constituency.  I assume the Minister will have looked at those, and I think one would have to be doing very well to be able to spend these figures in a local election.</p><p pid="366.3">The cost of posters is high.  Most of us get them from this country, although not every political party does so.  If there is a provision in law that requires the printer of the poster to be named on it, this should be vigorously enforced.  If it is not in law, then I ask the Minister to include it.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g364.0">
	<title>Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-11.348.0&amp;m=135#g364.0</link>
	<description>I welcome the principle of this Bill.  It is very important to have strict spending limits for all elections.  In the last election, I was vastly outspent by the Labour Party.  I had no billboard...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="364.1">I welcome the principle of this Bill.  It is very important to have strict spending limits for all elections.  In the last election, I was vastly outspent by the Labour Party.  I had no billboard or glossy advertisements on the side of the newspaper bins outside shops across the constituency, unlike the Labour Party.  The idea that Fianna FĂˇil spends all the money, or that money gets one elected, is not always correct.</p><p pid="364.2">I have a concern that the spending limits are far too high.  I appreciate that the Minister entered into consultation with the environment committee, but I do not know what went on as I am not a member of that committee.  A limit of â‚¬7,500 for a town or borough council election is far too high.  The largest borough council is in Drogheda, which is where I am from, even though I do not represent most of it.  Around 500 votes would get a candidate elected to Drogheda Borough Council and I cannot think of anyone who would want to spend â‚¬7,500 on an election for a seat on that council.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-11T16:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.949.0&amp;m=135#g984.0">
	<title>Public Finances: Motion | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-03-04.949.0&amp;m=135#g984.0</link>
	<description>Every interest group will be involved in lobbying.  Earlier the Combat Poverty Agency appeared before the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs for the third time.  Every agency whose...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="984.1">Every interest group will be involved in lobbying.  Earlier the Combat Poverty Agency appeared before the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs for the third time.  Every agency whose budget has been cut by the Government will be supported by the Opposition when it appears before a committee.  It is about time that stopped and the Opposition got real.  That seems to be happening and that is positive for the country.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-03-04T19:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
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