Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I gave him a promotion. Were he a Minister, we might have had a bit of news. The Senator told us that there was a dea-scéal on the way, but the workers in question have still not got it four weeks into this situation. I ask for news as soon as possible.

We are sitting here reasonably comfortably while a 65 year old pensioner, Ms Teresa Treacy, languishes in Mountjoy Prison. I see Members asking themselves what she did wrong. Did she bring down our financial system? No, she tried to protect her land and trees by stopping the ESB riding roughshod over her and her rights as a citizen. Like last week, I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to explain to the House what type of justice exists in a country where a 65 year old woman who tries to stand up for her rights is imprisoned while none of those who brought us to financial ruin have been brought before the courts.

On a related note, when will the Government put in place the legislation to ratify the Aarhus Convention, which might have protected her rights? Ironically, today's protests occurred outside Anglo Irish Bank's old building. It is the ESB's new headquarters. This year, the ESB is sponsoring the national week for older people. What an irony. It is about time that the Minister attended the House to explain what is occurring.