David Norris (Independent)

That is true. I certainly agree, but unfortunately it has very little impact on the area, and that is a problem. I accept what the Senator says and admit that I was one of the critics. I thought that it was a white elephant, and I absolutely accept that I was wrong. I am glad it is there, but it does not have sufficient spin-off in the area.

There is another specific matter which I want to raise and which I ask the Minister to examine. I do not expect an answer this evening, since I do not think it is possible to give one, however, I would be grateful if the Minister could examine why the Equality Authority is going to Roscrea. I do not think Roscrea is a place where human rights abuses may not occur or where there may not be people quite well qualified to service the area. I am not putting it in the same light as moving the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to one of the few landlocked counties, although some people did think that slightly absurd. This is not as absurd as that decision, but I want to know why it is leaving Dublin. I believe there is something sinister behind this and that the Government intends to demote or destroy the Equality Authority. The first reason is that it is being decentralised to Roscrea when it is perfectly obvious it is an agency of the State that needs clear, efficient interaction with all other organs of Government. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is staying in Dublin.