David Norris (Independent)

It is customary to thank Ministers and ask them some questions at this point. I know the Minister of State, whom I congratulate on his appointment, is a decent man. His response was a disgraceful load of old blather. He might as well have read the telephone directory into the record. There was absolutely nothing in it other than a rehash of rubbish about technical ways of doing this, that and the other. It is a complete farrago of nonsense and a total injustice. The degree of the Department's respect for the security of the man in question is indicated by the appearance of his name, address and telephone number in the Minister of State's script, which was handed out widely all over this Chamber. I want the Minister of State to take this lapse very seriously, because under no circumstances should his name have been published in such a manner. This is an example of the respect for security associated with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Minister of State referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Is that from where the trouble is coming? Who is responsible? The questions I raised have not been answered. What accusation was made against the man whose case I have raised? The Minister of State said the man can appeal the decision that was taken, which is true. However, he would have to cite the reasons for refusal, which he has not been given. The Minister of State also mentioned the Freedom of Information Act, but the man in question has been refused under that as well. There is no democratic accountability whatever in this instance. I want the Minister of State to raise this issue with the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, so that it does not end here.

There has been prevarication in this case. The entire piece of nonsense that has been read into the record this evening is nothing other than prevarication. As someone who used to teach English, I know what the word "prevarication" means. I can recognise prevarication. This is nothing other than prevarication — there is nothing else in it. Will the Minister of State bring back the message to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform that the man in this instance is seeking a review of the decision? I am demanding that review on his behalf. It is a sad day for this country when people who fought and died for freedom are the subject of such an utter and contemptible violation of democratic accountability.