David Norris (Independent)

In the context of the first non-Government motion on the Order Paper in the name of the Independent Senators regarding the status of charities etc., perhaps the Leader will indicate when legislation will be forthcoming. We were promised legislation to make charities more accountable, to regulate their activities and so forth. In saying this, I am not trying to be a Scrooge. I have just posted ten cheques to various charities. However, I strongly object to being unable to walk the streets of this city without being ambushed on every corner by those collecting for charity. Between my home at one end of O'Connell Street and this House, I am frequently the subject of seven or eight demands for money. Today, the ISPCC is collecting. Serious concerns were previously raised about that organisation and its attitude towards money. I am not impugning those who currently run the ISPCC but we must examine the possibility of regulating this area.

I wish to refer to the extremely sensitive intervention of Senator Glynn on the subject of suicide and to place it in another context. I refer here to the impact of bullying on young people. The tragic case in Cork was raised on the Order of Business earlier in the week. A number of Members on all sides have highlighted the fact that a serious situation regarding bullying has arisen in the context of people using gay or homophobic slurs. The victims of such bullying may be neither gay nor homophobic. However, 80% of bullying in primary schools carries a homophobic element and in 80% of such incidents the school authorities do nothing. The reason for the latter is that the schools are covered by the exemptions gained by all the churches from the provisions of the Equality Act. In circumstances where young people are being driven to suicide, that is not acceptable.

On a slightly lighter note, my colleague and esteemed and dear friend, Senator O'Toole, was being slightly mischievous when he suggested that copies of the biography of Eoin O'Duffy be circulated. I do not believe the Senator has the best interests of Fine Gael at heart in this regard. I would strongly object to the book being circulated because O'Duffy was an egomaniacal, alcoholic, sexually confused person who had a long passionate relationship with the late Micheál MacLiammóir.