David Norris (Independent)

I join my colleagues who seek a debate on the tribunals. While I am in favour of finding out the truth and believe the behaviour of some political figures in selling out has been shameless, €1 billion is a large sum of money. An audit of the costs of the tribunal should be carried out. It shocks me that the banks, which have been exposed over the years as being guilty of financial malpractice, have routinely charged more than €13,000 to carry out an inquiry into a notice for discovery. They slap in a bill for €13,000 and it is paid straight away. That is milking the system.

I ask for a debate on democracy in local government. I noted in a report in one of the newspapers yesterday that the management of Dublin City Council has signed a contract with a French advertising company to place large advertising hoardings all over the city. The city council will not receive money in return but will, instead, get a couple of bicycles and a free map. The proposal was not put to local representatives on the city council for discussion. What is happening to local democracy when the city authorities can sell off city spaces without recourse to the citizens of Dublin or their elected representatives?