Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am talking about providing leadership when so many matters of concern are threatening this nation. We have mentioned crime and Iraq. Senator Norris has tabled a motion, seconded by Senator Henry, that we debate Iraq today.

Another issue should be raised, not for debate today but which the Leader should bring to the relevant Minister's attention – the danger of bankrupting the country. We have been a nation for over 80 years. In that time we have seen some countries go bankrupt and others succeed. Recently we have taken a number of steps which have put us in serious danger of making this country the laughing stock of the world, one of which should be followed up by the Leader. As I listened to the radio and watched television over the last week, hardly half an hour passed without an advertisement being played for the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The advertisement asks if people have suffered abuse and, if so, says they may be entitled to compensation. It invites them to get in touch with the board.

When we established the Residential Institutions Redress Board and allocated funds to it, we did not reckon that the first tens of thousands of euro would be devoted to encouraging people to get involved in the compensation culture. We had this situation with Army deafness claims. It almost reached the point where, if one had ever served in the Army, one was considered a fool if one did not make a claim. Now we are saying if somebody was ever in a residential institution, he or she is a fool if he or she does not make a claim. The Residential Institutions Redress Board is a worthy—