Seanad debates

Thursday, 11 November 2010

10:30 am

Photo of Joe O'TooleJoe O'Toole (Independent)

Over recent days I have sought from the Leader an indication of the Government's response to the motion that was passed in the House last week. I have given this some serious consideration and have spoken to graduates of DCU and the University of Limerick. Graduates of these institutions have been deprived of a Seanad vote for the past 30 years since the people's decision in the 1979 referendum. I have had a long series of discussions with my colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, and it is my intention at this stage to seek the support of the courts in this matter. Senator Bacik and I have considered how we can make progress on this, but it is not unreasonable to state that these people are being deprived of their right to representation, clearly perverting the will of the people as indicated in 1979. I seek a declaration that this has been an unreasonable delay, and it is my intention to have this dealt with in the courts to push the Government into taking action, unless the Government decides to do so in light of our motion and the decision of the people.

The four-year plan has taken over all discussions at the moment. I ask the Leader to go directly to the Government and say that the four-year plan, as well as dealing with the obvious, should also strike optimistic and positive notes by indicating options for growth. My worry is that the Cabinet is so shell-shocked at the moment dealing with all the difficulties of national and international finances that its members are afraid to look outside the box. It is important that when the plan is published, we see things we can be hopeful about - optimism, encouragement, growth possibilities. One of these possibilities, which I propose the Leader would ask to be included in the four-year plan, is the metro north. The finances can be arranged so that it does not cost the Government anything in the near future.

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