Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I refer the House to the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. This Act was passed to deal with, among other matters, white collar crime. Section 6 states: "A person who dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, by any deception induces another to do or refrain from doing an act is guilty of an offence". This provision has been used in a series of cases, ranging from the claiming of grants from Údarás na Gaeltachta to inducing a bookie to accept a late bet. In its 2008 report the CSO stated that in that year, under the heading of fraud, deception and false pretences offences, 2,627 cases had been recorded, with 227 convictions. Earlier this year it was reported that 1,000 persons were being pursued through the courts in cases involving social welfare fraud. Do the laws we pass in this House only apply to other people, or do they apply to everyone equally? If they apply to everyone equally, I ask that the matter being examined by the committee investigating the expenses of Senator Callely and other Senators be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. This is not simply an issue which involves a breach of the rules of the House or Members' interests; it is a criminal matter.