Seanad debates

Thursday, 29 April 2004

11:00 am

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Ó Murchú raised the case of Christy McGrath in the UK and the possibility of it being a miscarriage of justice. I know he has spoken to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is a worthy case and I am glad the Tipperary Association is taking up the matter.

The issue raised by Senator Ross is not a new one for him. He has spoken and written frequently about how the main culprits in fraudulent non-payment of tax are higher up people who remain faceless and nameless. It is a disgrace. Nobody condones anyone selling a product which is not correct or which carries with it the whiff of tax evasion, but there are bigger culprits. The Senator has sought a debate on finance and he is right. He has written correctly and strongly on that issue.

The issue was taken up with great passion by Senator MacSharry. He expressed the need for justice in all areas in that regard. I do not know how this can be done, but a debate on finance would be of benefit. Senator MacSharry also talked about planning and local authority funding, in particular. He spoke about people who do not live in an area making pious objections to an individual's right to build a house.

Senator Terry spoke about pensions for babies. I am not laughing; I just think it is so inappropriate. I know the Labour Party had a worthy idea, which the Labour Party in the UK had as well, namely, a bonus for those reaching 18 years of age.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.