Feargal Quinn (Independent)

We have a real problem with our economy. We must get our costs down, become competitive and use modern technology. For people to close down, not only our airports and the aeroplanes that fly from and into them but also all passing traffic across the Atlantic which must now veer away from us, is not acceptable. The air traffic controllers in the US went on strike the very week former US President Reagan was inaugurated in 1981. He told them that if they did not go back to work, they would be dismissed and would never work again as air traffic controllers. He stuck to his word and there has been no strike by air traffic controllers in the United States since then.

I am a great admirer of this House, our Constitution and how we do things in this country. However, when one looks abroad one can see other ways of doing things. I can offer three examples. At present, a commission of inquiry into the Iraq war is taking place in the British Houses of Parliament. The inquiry has brought former Prime Ministers and others before it. It is open to the public and its work is visible. It is clear that it is investigating this issue. I am not sure why we cannot do that. Perhaps the Abbeylara inquiry has something to do with it or perhaps our Constitution does not permit it. If so, we must re-examine how we do these things.

The second relates to something mentioned by Senator Ivana Bacik, namely, how the Americans deal with white collar crime. Bernie Madoff was in handcuffs and in jail within weeks of being caught. Perhaps the reason is that he admitted his guilt, but it is an awfully long time since we have found anybody guilty of white collar crime in this country. There might be something we could do differently in that regard.

Third, I drive a German car. When I got the car it already contained a first aid kit and a triangle for use in case of an emergency. I understand this is the law in Germany and France. The first aid kit costs €10 to €15, while the triangle costs €5 to €10. It would not be a huge cost to introduce legislation in this regard, particularly when one considers the last few weeks and the accident rate we experienced.

On that basis, there are some things we can learn from other countries. Many of the standards we have set in this country have been followed in other countries. Let us ensure we do not close our eyes to the fact that sometimes we can learn from what happens elsewhere too.