Brendan Ryan (Labour)

There are two tribunal reports which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the interim report of the Flood tribunal and the report of the Lindsay tribunal. These tribunals were set up by orders of the Oireachtas and while I can perhaps attribute political motives to the lack of debate on the Flood tribunal, one could argue that the Lindsay tribunal dealt with far more fundamental issues, as people died because of the events investigated by it. I request ample time from the Leader to discuss both reports as they raise issues of profound significance – in one case many feel the report fails to deal with many of the issues the tribunal was set up to address.

I fully support Senator O'Toole's calls for a debate on fisheries. The figures of the Department with responsibility for the marine suggest that since we joined the European Union we have given away at least €20 billion worth of fish to fishermen from outside the Irish zone of economic interest. This figure was supplied by the Department in answer to a Dáil question tabled for written reply asked on my behalf some years ago. It is a substantial figure. In terms of fisheries policy we should not just look at the possible arrival of more foreign fishing trawlers in our fishing area. We should look at the Irish zone of economic interest and the way in which it has been handed over to everyone else. If that is the price we choose to pay, so be it.

I raise again the issue Senator Brian Hayes mentioned yesterday, the Ombudsman's report on the Revenue Commissioners. It is not just about the individuals involved, though that is important. It reflects on the value system under which the Revenue Commissioners operate. As we have seen over and over, it is based on conciliation of the powerful and humiliation of the powerless. That is a fundamental statement of values in our society which is characterised by the refusal of the Revenue Commissioners to implement the request of the Ombudsman. It, therefore, necessitates urgent debate in the Oireachtas.