David Norris (Independent)

I wish to follow on from what Senator Keane said. It was important news about the banks. The financial situation is a matter on which I have consistently sought debates. Today, I seek that one aspect of the matter should be debated, namely, the question of eviction. I did not think I would live long enough in this country to see eviction being reintroduced. I send my congratulations to the homeland of my ancestors, County Laois, where in Mountrath, a town with which I have strong connections, the Defend Our Homes League prevented an eviction in a civilised way by quoting the article in the Constitution that protects citizens in their homes. Attempts were being made to evict people, ultimately in the interests of German and French banks. As Senator Keane pointed out, there was corruption in the advice received, if the radio reports are true, that should abrogate the situation. The deal should be off the table. We should not have to pay another single penny if the deal was corruptly done because there was a conflict of interests. That is what I will call for, but before that, there should never be eviction in this country. I am proud to have an ancestral connection with County Laois, which is the homeland of James Fintan Lalor. I wonder what he would think if he knew that in 2012 we were using the instruments of the State to try to get evictions. It was a very civilised event. The neighbours and people from the surrounding area collected together to assist their distressed neighbour. The Garda and the sheriff also behaved well because they departed when they were confronted with the peaceful protest and the article of the Constitution was read out to them. We have enough of evictions in this country.