David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Exactly. I believe that I am discussing that idea, as we are being told that these powers are justified by the emergency. There is a serious situation, but it is not an emergency. The real cause is the dysfunction of the entire system. I sincerely hope that the Minister is right. I said the same to Brian Lenihan when he sat where the Minister is sitting now. Sadly, he proved not to be right. I hope that we will have articles written about how wonderfully we got out of our situation, but I doubt it.

This brings me back to the concentration of powers under this section, a matter that is addressed by these amendments. It is worrying that the Judiciary has been included. It should have been exempted. When the people kicked out the committee of inquiries referendum, the Judiciary was handed over as a sacrifice. Many lies were told. Some 85% of the Judiciary's members gave up their increases voluntarily, yet we were told that none of them had. I am not accusing the Minister, but there was uninformed commentary everywhere.

I remain concerned. The Minister asserts that he is setting this Bill down honestly and openly across the table, but is it honest and open when their hands are twisted behind their backs in a half Nelson? If they can be threatened with the removal of increments and the tearing up of their contracts, that is what this is.

It came from the Minister's heart when he stated that we owed our paymasters, the taxpayers and the citizens nothing less. I wonder whether those are three separate identities. To me, our paymasters are not in this country, as we have lost our independence.