Seanad debates

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

3:00 am

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Fine Gael)

The institutions of this State protected its citizens in times gone by when it was under far more serious threat as compared to what happened outside the gates of Leinster House last Tuesday night. What gives individuals such as that legitimacy, however, and an acceptance for a wider audience is the perception that we, as Members of the Oireachtas, are doing nothing. To follow up on what Senator Shane Ross said, there is a need for us to be seen to be tackling white collar crime and to be challenging individuals who seem, as many people believe, to be getting away with murder as regards how the economy was destroyed.

From that viewpoint, the Leader should endeavour to get whistleblowing legislation such as that being sought by the Director of Public Prosecutions through this House as quickly as possible and not be prevaricating and just having statements in the House as regards what happened last Tuesday. The Seanad should be seen to be doing something real for the people. Otherwise, what happened last Tuesday will gain broader acceptance among a certain percentage of the population.

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