David Norris (Independent)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 17 on today's Order Paper be taken before No. 1, which amendment I understand will be seconded by Fianna Fáil.

I call on the Leader to find a method of conveying to the Papal Nuncio here our concern, on a humanitarian basis, in regard to a report which appeared in yesterday's edition of The Irish Times, by which I was thunderstruck. As far as I am aware the report was not taken up by any other media outlet. I heard nothing about it on radio or television. The report relates to the castration of up to 100 teenage boys in Holland during the 1950s who showed evidence of homosexuality, one of whom was in an institution, the chairman of which was the head of the Catholic People's Party and then Dutch Prime Minister. One of the boys, a 16 year old called Henk Hethuis, reported sexual abuse to the police. He was the first selected for castration. None of the parents was informed of this operation. Apparently, representatives of the Dutch State attended board meetings at which this was discussed. I believe we should also express our humanitarian concern on this matter to the Dutch ambassador. It is extraordinary. We all recall what happened to gay people during the Second World War, the hatred shown towards them and how that was covered up. We are due an apology from the Christian churches for this. Our concern in this matter should be brought home to the Dutch ambassador and ambassador of the Vatican.

I congratulate Senator Moloney on her contribution in regard to Allied Irish Bank, with which everyone in this House agrees. It is a colossal impertinence that Allied Irish Bank, which has been bailed out by the Irish taxpayer, is demanding that its customers have €2,500 in their accounts in order to avoid bank charges, which money the bank reinvests free of charge.

I give a guarded welcome to what has been arranged by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. All he has done is transform what was a challengeable debt into a sovereign debt from which there will be no escape. The amount of saving involved will be approximately €120 million per year. That is it. Let us not exaggerate it. It is a small move. We should be careful and only give it a guarded welcome.