Seanad debates

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

3:00 am

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I will continue from where Senator Bradford left off. I have been reading the posters of Éirígí and I am not sure if the organisation starts from the same point as other participants in the protest. I am interested in its participation and what its goal is for the island of Ireland. In response to bomb scares in County Donegal, I asked that the nearest available bomb squad be called to minimise the disruption caused. A strong letter was subsequently published in Irish News on how unpatriotic I was. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on republicanism, the current situation in the North, the Border counties and beyond. Yesterday in Lurgan the Enterprise service was disrupted. This is a cross-Border train service which is funded by the British and Irish Governments and the European Union and links the Republic with the North. A suspect wheelie-bin was placed close to the train. When the PSNI, the democratically accepted police force in the North, arrived to deal with the situation, officers were faced by a barrage of pipe bombs and petrol bombs. It is clear that we have been democratically elected to take the flak and drive a new vision for Ireland. I would like to think we could debate the perspectives of others to discover what sort of republic they are looking for and their tolerance level in accepting democracy. I refer not only to the North but to the island of Ireland as a whole.

I ask the Leader to update me on the legislation dealing with sunbeds. As I said last week, the North has moved to ban their use by those aged under 18 years and regulate their use by others. We were to do the same. Has there been progress in this regard?

I agree with Senator Mooney on the "Prime Time" programme on the issue of worn tyres. There are still issues to be addressed regarding waste water management and the fact that many waste water and sewerage schemes are not being progressed. I call for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to be invited to the House to discuss non-compliance with EU directives. Such a debate would be very useful.

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