David Norris (Independent)

I would like to raise two matters. I have been shocked by this morning's financial developments. When I interviewed the gentleman in question on the radio, I found him to be very pleasant. It is astonishing to think that the entire establishment has been impugned. Leading people from practically every pillar of our community — politicians, clergy of various denominations, lawyers and bankers — have gone to jail. It is astonishing. I was involved in a directors' loan some years ago. I gave money to a company to keep it going. That is my understanding of how a directors' loan works. Directors should not take one third of their companies' funds, which really belong to other people, for themselves. It is clear to me I simply do not understand high finance, but I think it is sometimes fairly low finance.

I refer to another matter I regard as quite serious. On foot of newspaper reports, without any personal animus against people whom I do not recall ever having met and about whom I do not know anything, I have raised questions about the way in which the chief executive officer of the Equality Authority was driven out of office. He is a person of the highest integrity. I asked a series of questions. I wish to put on the record of the House that attempts have been made by senior members of Government to intimidate me, to indicate to me that I would be politically punished if I attempted to continue to raise these matters. If that ever happens again, I will name the Minister who did it, and I will not stop in this House. I will do the same outside and I will let anybody who dares to intimidate me or to interfere with the democratic process take his or her chance against me in the courts. I am one of the most litigious people in this land and I have never lost — the worst I had was a draw.

We have indicated that we will celebrate the first meeting of Dáil Éireann in 1919 and it is perfectly proper, wonderful and honourable that we should. In the context of the attacks upon human rights and the swingeing cuts, the Government should bear in mind these two sentences from the programme of Government for the First Dáil in 1919:

We declare that we desire our country to be ruled in accordance with the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Justice for all, which alone can secure permanence of Government in the willing adhesion of the people . . .

It shall be the first duty of the Government of the Republic to make provision for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the children, to secure that no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing, or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training as Citizens of a Free and Gaelic Ireland.

That is the test against which the Government will be judged.