David Norris (Independent)

I am glad Senator Bacik raised the question of appointments in Europe and referred her concern to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. It is an appropriate concern but it is also appropriate to express concern about the way in which the appointment of the Irish representative to the European Court of Auditors is being made. I am not sure if it has been confirmed by the European Parliament. I will not name the gentleman involved as I do not seek to impugn his reputation in any particular way but he presided, as Secretary General of the Department of Finance, over a period of time during which this country got into very considerable difficulties. Questions were raised by Irish Members of the European Parliament, but they were steamrolled over in a most shameless way. The appointment is an award, in that the person's income will increase from €200,000 to €300,000. It was suggested on radio today that this was a method of getting rid of someone in a particular way. It is not appropriate for Ireland to use European institutions, as described on the public airwaves, as a bin for civil servants who may be awkward or embarrassing.

I remind the Leader that last week he committed to reverting to me and Senator Walsh on the Privacy Bill 2006. However, I will not press the matter. I had intended to propose an amendment to the Order of Business, but I will not do so, given that we have important matters to discuss. However, I will press it in the new year. It is the first of the Bills listed for presentation and I hope it will be presented early in the new year. I would appreciate it if the Minister could set a date for us. Last weekend someone who was a member of the Cabinet at the time of introduction of the Defamation Act expressed to me a concern that it substantially weakened the defences of the individual against intrusion by the media without the agreed passage of the Privacy Bill.