David Norris (Independent)

This was a most disgraceful and criminal act. I hope it will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to account.

My final point relates to Babcock and Brown, Eircom and so on. Consumers are getting a lousy deal. We must all do something about this, including Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party, which was effective on ground rent and in getting rid of landlordism. Why are we still paying rental money to Australia, France and pension funds all over the world for lines put in by this State, paid for by us and itemised in every telephone bill we receive? We must eradicate landlordism in the telecommunications business by putting an end to line rent.