David Norris (Independent)

I wish to show the independence of the Independents by saying I do not entirely agree with my distinguished colleague, Senator Brian Hayes. I was at the launch of Transport 21 yesterday in Dublin Castle and I found it a most invigorating experience. We had to push hard to get items such as the metro included and this House played an instrumental role. When the five Independents had the balance of power I used the opportunity to amend the Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act. The Leader, not only as Leader but as Minister for Public Enterprise, was open-minded and clear about the metro. The part she played will be a part of history.

It is remarkable that the Government has the courage to involve itself in this very significant expenditure of €34.4 billion. We have the money and now is the time to put it into transport. It is a wise investment. Everything said about the metro suggests that it would be a negative economic indicator not to include it in the plan.

We should continue to monitor the situation regarding the transport plan. I was a little worried talking to some of the senior people after the launch. I said to one of them that the timescale was still quite extended and I asked if it could be shortened. He said the soil mechanics and the geology of Dublin are unique. I have heard this argument until I have become ill from it. I said I would bet him €1,000 that no geological structure is found under the streets of Dublin which has not been encountered in one of the thousands of cities throughout the world which have put in such infrastructure.

The other good thing about the plan was that it was not only Dublin-centred. The western rail corridor was included and railways all over the country will be opened up. It is an incremental plan and we should not be begrudging about it. As an Independent, I welcome the plan but we must monitor its implementation to make sure there is no waste. It was a good day's work.

I also wish to raise the Ferns report. I do not wish to appear to gloat, as I do not enjoy the discomfiture of the official church. It is a tragic situation, particularly for the many good, decent, young religious and the faithful. However, if we are serious about addressing the issues raised, we should examine our own record and I will table a motion in this regard. I mentioned last week that respectable, decent people, even including myself, as I was once a teacher, could be fired from a teaching post because the churches, in particular the Roman Catholic Church, were granted exclusions from the operation of equality legislation. If the past few weeks teach us anything, it is——