Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I second the amendment to the Order of Business moved by Senator Thomas Byrne. I also support the call by Senator David Cullinane for adequate speaking time for Sinn Féin. It is a perfectly reasonable request and it can only be good for the deliberations in this House to have all views properly ventilated.

I also support the comments of Senator John Whelan on the broadcasting of what is happening in this House, particularly where RTE is concerned as it is the public service broadcaster in this country. An important element of the operation of democracy is that the general public would be aware of and engaged in the political process. This country is particularly fortunate in that there is a great interest in politics. That is largely due to those who are involved as volunteers on the ground. They show an interest and are prepared to give their time. We must also give credit to the media which tends to highlight certain aspects of the political process. There is a deficit in that regard, namely, the adequate coverage of this House. There is an imbalance because that is not happening. Therefore, we are not serving the public well. It would be in the interests of RTE to come on board at this particular time. It does exceptionally well out of politics with its programmes. There is no reason it could not be generous in its response.

On the scrappage issue which has also been raised; I have a particular interest in Tipperary in that regard. We are all worried about the many monuments we have in this country that could be used for scrappage. They are of historical and sentimental value. Some monuments are valuable. People are now talking about mounting security on monuments lest they be stolen as others have. One of the glaring cases relates to Holy Cross Abbey where an ancient relic was stolen. I believe it was stolen for the casing which would be particularly valuable because of its gold content. The thieves broke into the abbey, desecrated it and stole the casing and the relic contained within it. As the Archbishop of Cashel has said that Holy Cross Abbey will never be the same again without the relic because of its historical and traditional value. Regardless of whether one has a religion or not, if people have a particular reverence, as they would have had for that relic in Holy Cross Abbey, can one imagine how people feel to have it desecrated in that manner? I appeal to anyone who is listening and has the relic to bring it back.

I agree that legislation is required. I commend Deputy Mattie McGrath on taking this step. If we allow this to go on it will be a very serious development. If the thieves believe they can get steal our heritage throughout the country with impunity, they will continue doing so. I hope all of us can unite on this issue. There is much goodwill among all politicians on fundamental issues of this kind. This is one for which I ask support.