David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Jillian van Turnhout and hope a debate will be granted. I secured such a debate on the economy; therefore, what the Senator desires is possible; it has been done during this session. The welfare of children is a very important issue.

Has the Deputy Leader an update on the question I have raised repeatedly for many months, namely, the registration of various lobbying groups with the Standards in Public Office Commission. I instance, in particular, the Iona Institute which has consistently given inaccurate and misleading information. It has been disowned on at least three occasions by the scientists whose papers it purported to quote. What I propose should apply right across the board. People on all sides should be registered if they are lobbying in this way, as we need to know who they are. This matter has become more urgent since the commission has expressed concern about this issue and the cavalier attitude with which various organisations treat requests for registration. Apparently, it has no power of sanction or enforcement. This matter cannot be allowed to go away because it is part of our democratic process, as is the question of the survival or abolition of this House of the Oireachtas. If the Seanad is abolished, the Oireachtas will effectively be abolished, as it will only be left with the Dáil. I continue to raise the subject because of the massive concentration of power in the Government. The reports in yesterday's newspapers were alarming. The Taoiseach has, apparently, decided to toy with the idea of establishing a super-Dáil committee, although the Minister for Finance said it was impossible when this House wanted to use such a mechanism for information gathering purposes. This issue was raised excellently yesterday by Senator Sean D. Barrett.

Today we are to discuss the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill which will give the Government power to cancel contracts. That is an extraordinary and swingeing power. There are massive cutbacks in local democracy. The Government has been intent on preventing discretion as far as it can. The members of the super-committee or yellow-pack Senate to replace the House would, apparently, be nominated by the Taoiseach. It would have various experts, a new kind of golden circle, precisely the kind of phenomenon from which we are trying to get away. It would have a cost. One should consider the cost incurred already, including that of ministerial advisers, which amounts to more than the cost of the Seanad. What is proposed is a complete tissue of lies. As part of the proposal, the Government is tinkering with the Presidential election process which would make it more difficult for anybody to be nominated.

I managed to raise this issue, despite attempts by the Government to frustrate me, with the Constitutional Convention. In a vote, 97% said there should be greater public participation. This is a Government that ignores the wishes of the people. If the Irish people want to put a bit of restraint on the Government and show their dissatisfaction with politicians they should not vote in favour of the abolition of the Seanad. Rather, they should vote in a way that will teach the Government a lesson - namely, that the people of Ireland are tired of the whittling away of democracy in every aspect of our lives by the Government that they voted in because they thought it would be more democratic than Fianna Fáil.