Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 November 2009

10:30 am

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Green Party)

I support the call for a debate on climate change in advance of the Copenhagen summit. The recent report of the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security would be a good basis for such a debate and help to inform the Government when drafting the legislation.

I also support Senator O'Toole's call for a debate on the nature of lobbying. The review of the programme for Government promises to introduce legislation to register lobbyists. As we are entering into what we hope will be a new era, who knows who and its effects should be put aside in public life. While we are changing the nature of political life, there is a concern that in less open and accountable situations there are people bending ears and tapping shoulders for personal advantage and for those for whom they work. We must rid that culture from our society because we suffered from it politically and socially in the past. I would welcome such a debate.

As the death notices on our debate on NAMA are finally posted I agree with other Senators that there is an air of uncertainty about the legislation passed yesterday but there is greater certainty about it in the way it has been improved by the debate in this House than any of the alternatives which I believe would have invoked a greater cost and carried a heavier risk for the Irish people. We can all work together to make sure the Bill passed by this House will be the best legislation possible.

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