Seanad debates

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

11:00 am

Photo of David NorrisDavid Norris (Independent)

I had agreed to second Senator O'Toole's motion but I have been positively anticipated by Senator Coffey. Notwithstanding that, I will make a few points on the issue. The decision in committee was taken unanimously and on a cross-party basis. This is one of the few instances in which the House can have an impact. The Seanad, acting alone, can effect the withdrawal of the proposal. By voting it down, the Government side is helping to create what has been described as a dysfunctional democracy. I ask the Leader, as a matter of grave urgency, to take up with the Data Protection Commissioner the fact the United States has introduced a new digital millennium copyright Act. Under this YouTube offers an automated system whereby a third party can post a notice requesting another party's site to be removed. In order to negate this, the targeted person must supply his or her personal details to the third party, who will often use a fake name. This facility has been used already to stalk young women. In the United Kingdom it has been used to target a man, libel him criminally, label him a paedophile and subject him to attack. It is only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs and the issue must be examined.

Last week Senator Hannigan paid a generous tribute to Michael Foot, the great leader of the British Labour Party. However, one aspect of the man that has not really been put forward to the degree it should is his remarkable connection with Ireland. In 1980, Victor Griffin, then Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, invited him to deliver the first Swift lecture. Michael Foot was a great authority on Swift and he spoke unscripted - I was there. He gave the most electrifying and marvellous address on Swift, the challenge the writer posed to church, state and politicians, his horror of war and cruelty and conquests and crimes committed in the name of Christ or patriotism. He spoke of how Swift prophesied that if the new money class - the bankers - should rule the community, there would be a danger of unrestricted capitalism, especially to the poor-----

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