Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 November 2009

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

There seems to be some confusion about access to live Seanad debates. On the Order of Business yesterday Senator Hanafin raised the importance of live-streaming. Perhaps he used the word incorrectly, but the Seanad is constantly available on live-stream at www.oireachtas.ie. He may have been referring to broadcasting, which is another matter. The debates are also available for listening at all times on the telephone number 01-6184001. Many Members are not aware of these facilities which were established by the Joint Administration Committee. It is important for those interested in an issue that they can listen to a debate on it without being here. Senator Hanafin's point, however, about broadcasting is crucial. Last Saturday the BBC announced it would make available coverage of all the United Kingdom assemblies and parliaments - the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the House of Commons and the Lords -on separate channels on its website channels and some digital satellite facilities. The Joint Administration Committee, of which the Leader and I are members, have been exploring this issue for some time.

I agree with Senator Fitzgerald's points on NAMA. I supported the legislation in every division in the past three days as a vote of confidence and leap of faith. I hope it works; otherwise we will be in deep trouble. We must remember the model might not work. We must keep an eye on this.

During the course of the debate yesterday the issue of whether Oireachtas Members should be able to lobby NAMA when it was tendering, buying property, initiating court actions and other matters was raised. Few things keep me awake at night but this bothered me. I am not getting at an individual Member or trying to open up the debate again. In that regard, I assure Senator Leyden that I am not saying this in a personalised way. However, I would like a debate, with the Cathaoirleach's support, in the House on how lobbying should happen. Members have their genuinely held views. However, we need to know when lobbying undermines fair process and becomes a perversion of justice. My concern is that the world has moved on. What was acceptable ten years ago or last year is no longer so. We have learned this to our cost in many ways and changes must be made. What I learned from yesterday's debate was that we all needed to make that change. I do not want to hear the word "righteous" thrown back at me. It is not about that but fairness. It is about ensuring one person does not gain an advantage over someone else because he or she knows a Deputy, Senator or county councillor. At the same time, it must be recognised that Deputies, Senators and councillors are required to and should make representations on behalf of the areas and people they represent. It is about finding that balance in a fair, honest and open way. I call for a debate on the matter.

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