Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

While I do not know whether it is appropriate for the House to debate issues related to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, the issue of naming people in the House needs to be debated in open session. An objective analysis of the record will prove that in the seven years since I entered the House, the Chair's rulings on which names may be mentioned in the House, which Senators may refer to individuals by name as well as the issues and times at which people may be referred to by name have been inconsistent. A highly selective approach has been taken to picking up on Senators who refer to individuals outside the House by name.

Members will be aware that I have been particularly critical of individuals in the Health Service Executive who have responsibility for sums of money equivalent to 47% of annual revenue from taxation, which will amount to €34 billion this year. The third party individuals I have named in the House have been in control of the budget of the Health Service Executive, an organisation which does not operate in the same way as semi-State bodies such as Bord Gáis which has a commercial mandate and responsibility under the Gas Acts. It is perfectly legitimate for Senators to refer to such individuals by name in the context of our work in representing the public interest. It is not our role to appease the Chair by complying with rulings made on the basis of opinions expressed by the individuals who advise the Chair. I say this with the greatest respect.