David Norris (Independent)

I agree with Senator Brian Hayes about the contribution made by Mrs. Lynch when referring to her murdered son and the inappropriate writing of letters. The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, is a very decent and responsible man. We should not target any individual because the practice is endemic. There is something wrong with the system. Every Government, not only Fianna Fáil Governments, provide staff to Ministers to nurture the constituency. This results in letters being sent out without the knowledge or approval of the Minister. This practice is idiotic and a corruption of the system. In my post this morning I received a document notifying me of the launch of a book entitled "Performance" or something similar. This is about show politics, veneer and appearing to do something. It is populism which must be rooted out of the system.

I was extremely impressed by Mrs. Lynch and the way in which she presented her case. She mentioned that she had prayed at her son's funeral for the family of the man who murdered him. In her dignified way she showed an extraordinary degree of Christian charity. The reopening of this case in this manner brought back all the trauma and devastation that was visited on the extended members of the family. While I agree with Senator Brian Hayes's comments, I believe it is in all our interests to examine the system.

I also partly agree with Senator Hayes on developments in the case of BUPA. I am not ideologically committed to the notion of competition. Its elevation to a kind of totem has damaged the interests of ordinary people in many areas. It is perfectly clear that BUPA was not open about what it was doing in the Irish market. It was a hit and run company which entered the market and made a considerable profit which it repatriated to subsidise the British health service. It is not up to us to subsidise the national health service in Britain, much as I admire it.

I am worried by a comment made on a radio programme this morning and hope it is not true. It was stated that Mr. Quinn expected favourable treatment because he was a crony of the Taoiseach. If that is the case, it would be a great shame because the interests of patients should be the main consideration in this matter.

Mr. Quinn is entering the market with what is supposed to be a new company when it is perfectly obvious it is not new. In the old days in Dublin this approach used to be called the Phoenix syndrome and was particularly common in the entertainment business and nightclubs, discos and so on. I was involved in this area and whereas we paid all our tax, others set up companies which they collapsed the minute they received a tax bill. They then created a new paper company and never paid any tax. This approach is wrong and the loophole should be plugged.

On the issue of the CAO, this is another example of the system triumphing over the individual. Young people trying to make their applications were told that with new technology they would be able to log on to the CAO website and make their applications via the Internet. A CAO spokesperson took a very cavalier attitude on the wireless this morning and did not appear to have any compassion for the young people concerned. He said the system was great and running perfectly and the CAO could manage easily. What about those who have not been able to access the applications facility? They are expected to pay an extra €10.

The system is not more important than the individuals it is supposed to serve, namely, young people at the beginning of their careers who are under pressure because they are about to take mock examinations. It should be possible to extend the deadline for receipt of completed applications. When the CAO spokesman was asked whether there was a legal impediment to doing so, he failed to answer the question and repeated a great deal of garbage about computers. Let us hear it for the small people, the students and those who are vulnerable in terms of their health. Let us not elevate competition and technology above the rights of the individual citizen.