Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 November 2009

11:00 am

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business as announced by the Leader, that No. 1 be taken with debate. Nothing could better illustrate the need for Seanad reform that this farce of an election. The people ought to know that the entire electorate to fill this importance vacancy consists of 226 persons. Councillors are not even involved in this election. It is ludicrous. Let us have a debate on the matter.

I am involved in the committee under the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley. It is perfectly clear that what is being targeted is the university seats. The people should know that in the Trinity College constituency there are 55,000 electors and that in the NUI constituency there are over 100,000. These are real constituencies. Let us have Senate reform and not be hypocritical about it. That is a rotten borough, about which there is no doubt whatever. The proof of the pudding is that the newspapers are full of who will get it. It has all been rigged by the Government. It is a reproach to democracy.

I welcome the release of that remarkable man, Fr. Sinnott, but let us not be hypocritical. From the Government benches, my good friend and colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, said something very important. He stated kidnapping was about the worst human crime and a travesty of all decency. There is a Nigerian man whose wife was murdered, whose two children were kidnapped and murdered and who himself has been threatened with kidnapping by the gang involved, yet he will be deported back to Nigeria on Saturday next, 14 November. Let every Member of the House who has spoken about Fr. Sinnott and stated this business of kidnapping is appalling write this day to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to ask that this deportation order be rescinded and the case be reopened and looked at. This man has the support of his community, parish and everybody who knows him. He is a decent man who, this minute, is living in terror of his life, that the will be sent back to Nigeria, kidnapped and murdered.

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