David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House but I do not welcome the Bill. I have a good deal of sympathy for the Minister because I think he is in a bit of a bind here. I would like to ask him to break free of it, if he possibly can. We ought to acknowledge, however, the difficulties that Ministers like Deputy Howlin are under with the troika, the EU and the ECB breathing down their necks. It is a disgusting situation in my opinion. While one must sympathise with the Minister, I abhor this Bill and everything it stands for.

It must go against the grain for the Minister, as a socialist, to have to introduce it and sell out a national asset to gambling interests. After all, it was casino economics that got us into this mess in the first place and I do not think it will be improved by selling off this asset. It is actually a lot worse than selling the family silver because it is selling the goose and the eggs for the next 20 years. I cannot think that we are going to get a good price for it.

Given that the Minister is under so much pressure and has so much to do - particularly with the EU - he could not be here earlier when the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, represented him. I am sure he will have an opportunity hear what was said, however. Journalists may say that there were only a few people in the Chamber, but we can watch a debate on the monitors. The Minister can see us online and I would ask him to do so. It would be a good idea because there was a fine speech by Senator O'Donnell, which was one of the finest I have ever heard in this House, although the Minister might not agree with it.

It was a measured debate which was carefully thought through. It is significant that the first spokesman on the Government side expressed considerable reserves about the legislation, including as a business proposition. I saw that look but we should not scold him because he was speaking the truth. We want the truth in the Seanad, not tame people who are bullied through the lobbies. He told it in a clear manner but not a destructive one. The Minister will get support from that side, however reluctantly.

As I have said, I cannot support the Bill. The intervention of the EU and the troika has been appalling. Our National Pensions Reserve Fund is almost entirely gone. The former Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, put away something like €23 billion into the National Treasury Management Agency. What the agency did was superb, but the money was raided by our "friends" in Europe. We were discussing pensions earlier, but when we hit that particular pension wall we are in for a smash because everything we had, including all the padding, is gone. I object to that.

As a socialist, the Minister should look at the history of privatisation in this country, which has been dreadful and appalling. Eircom was an unparalleled disaster. In addition, I can speak from experience, as somebody living in Dublin, about what Dublin City Council did with the bins. It was horrible.

It was another utter, total and disastrous mess. Filth and rubbish left all over the streets by these commercial companies are swept up by Dublin City Council. Consequently, the State is left cleaning up the mess after everything is privatised and this is absolutely classic. Members should consider the madness of the European Union, although I acknowledge the Minister will state we are obliged to do it. Recently, there was this stupid stuff about gender equality whereby women who are better drivers are obliged to pay more to be equal. This is insane and I note the Minister at that point did not wish to introduce that rubbish either. Further rubbish was inflicted on the people through the Minister for Health, when we were forced by Europe to allow below-cost cigarette selling. I do not blame the Minister for looking horrified.