Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Whoever said it is a shameless individual who is grabbing the cheapest of all cheap shots against his or her own colleagues. Senator O'Toole is correct that we should stand up for ourselves. We should have a debate on politics and the media, a suggestion which is not meant to threaten anyone. The problem with journalists is that if one criticises them, they accuse one of threatening them. If that is the case, I have been threatened all my life by every journalist in Ireland because they are forever complaining about us. It is time we spoke up for ourselves.

I often speak about Oireachtas Members and former Members with vigour and the Cathaoirleach often asks me to retract such comments, with which I do not always agree, but that is part of the rules of this House. We will not get any favours from the media by cringing in front of them. We must begin to stand up for ourselves.

An individual was convicted of corruption yesterday, about which I do not want to elaborate since the process is not complete. However, at the risk of being denounced by the media again, I have no great passion for sending old men to jail, whether it is this individual or others. Nonetheless, such people should be convicted. Issues arise from this which deserve the attention of the Oireachtas, one of which is that it is virtually impossible to find out who are the beneficial owners of many trusts. If we are in earnest about taxation or corruption, we cannot tolerate impenetrable trusts being set up, the precise beneficial owners of which the Revenue Commissioners, the Garda or the Companies Office cannot find out. Our company legislation is far too heavily loaded on the side of protecting alleged commercial sensitivities, the result of which is that the State could perhaps pay money to companies without knowing whether the beneficial owners of those companies are tax compliant or legitimately entitled to those benefits. Our companies legislation needs to be examined in that context.

I still find it astonishing that if a youngster steals a loaf of bread from the local supermarket in Merrion Row, he or she will be prosecuted, but if a person withholds €1 million of lawful taxation, the Revenue Commissioners have a policy of not prosecuting him or her. How is it right to punish a poor child for stealing a loaf of bread and leave a citizen who steals €1 million of revenue without a stain on his or her character?