David Norris (Independent)

I agree with some colleagues on this side of the House that elderly people are terrified. They are terrified because of the lies told by the newspapers and the disgraceful language employed in attacking a decent woman who is doing her best and has provided an interesting idea. This House should tell the truth on what is involved. I deplore the fact that old people are being unnecessarily frightened. When I am gone, I will not be living in the house. Let them sell it, or do whatever they like with it. I have no objection to paying my share for being cared for and it is odd that people object to this. The Minister for Health and Children seeks to protect people's interest in the property while they are alive. They have no quantifiable interest in it when they are dead.

I seek a debate on No. 17, which asks the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism to provide an update on the Abbey Theatre. Yesterday a small premises of no architectural distinction but of some historical interest was welcomed as a site. It is behind the Carlton site on O'Connell Street where the Abbey Theatre should be. It is an outrageous proposal at the instigation of a billionaire businessman that the Abbey Theatre should be located at an unsuitable site on George's Dock, taking over the principal water feature. As everybody knows, it is not the best site. The Minister wanted the Abbey Theatre to be on O'Connell Street. It is outrageous that a small group of property developers and speculators can sit on the asset, leaving a scar on our main street and refuse to allow it to be developed in the national interest. The Taoiseach should use his well-reputed negotiating skills to resolve this situation.

I agree with Senator O'Toole on the management companies of apartment complexes. I have raised this scandal in the House previously. A developer holds one flat so that he or she can control the situation on a legal technicality. The tenants are not allowed the democratic right to elect a committee, the developer appoints his cronies to clean and maintain the property and services are not provided. I passed a dossier on this matter to a friend and colleague who is now an auctioneer. In his new profession he will take up this matter with great vigour.

The Leader should ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to inquire of the Israeli authorities the fate of Mordechai Vanunu, who was imprisoned for telling the truth about the Israeli nuclear facility. Now that Ehud Olmert let slip that Israel is a nuclear power, will Israel remove sanctions against the honourable and decent whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu?