Seanad debates

Wednesday, 28 May 2008

10:30 am

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Green Party)

I share the opinions of previous speakers and ask the Leader to consider an opportunity to discuss the Iarnród Éireann industrial dispute in Cork if it continues during the coming days. It is difficult to decipher the dispute's cause or to attribute blame. The net effect is that a service that has been highly resourced in recent years and has become the country's best and increasingly used rail service is in danger of losing much of the public good will it has acquired.

People have suffered in the short term. I have heard horror stories of people missing hospital appointments, university examinations and job interviews. While we discuss the warring factions in every industrial dispute, we forget the collateral damage among the ordinary people who depend on public services. If there is no sign of an imminent breakthrough during the coming days, the House should discuss the issue.

Regarding the points made about the Davy Stockbrokers report, the House should debate the economy before it rises for the summer recess. Senators should avoid the politics of the latest flurry of economic consultants' reports, which seem to state that economic activity will slow to a certain level and recover within a certain time and that we will retain our strong and resilient economy during the coming years. The only debate should be on how long the slowdown will last, how deep it will go and how long the economy will take to recover. The essential effects outlined in every consultant's report are the same.

I agree with Senator Alex White's request for a debate on the Amnesty International report. There were similar requests in respect of the recent and slightly controversial report of the EU's commissioner on human rights. A discussion on political rights, both here and abroad, would be a good use of the time of the House before rising this summer.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.