Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien on the Government's approach to the announcement of the sale of State assets. It is one of the more regrettable developments in politics in recent years that the Oireachtas is bypassed when news must be told to the people. In a sense, it shows the authoritarian nature of our political system in that government commands and oversees all while it does not give the Oireachtas the respect it is due.

I recall when I was young boy in the 1980s the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, on the very same subject of the sale of State assets saying one can sell the family silver but only once. I would welcome a debate on this in the Seanad. I hope Ireland's long-term national interest will not be damaged by the sale of these assets. While we must have in mind the future profits of profitable enterprises in electricity and gas, we must also bear in mind the costs of redundancies and unemployment. I hope the figures are being done in the round so that Ireland is being enabled by the troika to act in its long-term best interest and not in the short-term interest of lowering our debt.

On the subject of giving business every chance, I am concerned about the impact of the Occupy Dame Street protest on local businesses in the vicinity. I am sure Members have received correspondence about this. One local businessperson wrote to me about how this encampment is causing major problems for local retailers, how footfall in the area has dropped drastically since the camp was erected and how the public does not venture near the Central Bank plaza because of a kind of intimidation - people turn away from barriers and fencing like that. Would a Traveller encampment be treated with the same respect? I say that with the greatest respect to Travellers. Is there a hands-off approach to lifestyle protestors? There is an articulate but small group of people keeping this protest going which might be impacting negatively on local businesses. Perhaps it is an issue to which we should turn our attention.

I welcome Senator Bacik's comments on the prayer. We did some good work at the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP. It is about trying to find a way in which all traditions can be valued. As I have said before, the people who see themselves as representing the new Ireland must not trample on those who they see as representing the old Ireland. The faith traditions are very important as they contribute so much to social solidarity. It is important they are fully respected even while we respect other viewpoints.

On the subject of religious toleration, it is Christians who are the most persecuted minority in the world.