Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ivana Bacik and others referred to the Anglo tapes, which were discussed at length on the Order of Business yesterday. She also referred to the constitutional convention. I intend to invite the chairman of that body to the House in September to update Members on its proceedings.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the address made by the Taoiseach to the European Parliament. I note his point on the various anniversaries to which he referred and the need for greater democracy in all states. I also note his observations on the introduction of postcodes and the requirement for a cost benefit analysis. I will convey them to the relevant Minister.

Senator Michael Comiskey complimented the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, on his success in the negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy and highlighted the need for further progress on Pillar 2. I agree that it would be useful to have a debate with the Minister as soon as possible on the success of the CAP negotiations and other matters.

Senator Terry Leyden also referred to the revelations regarding the Anglo tapes. This matter was discussed, in the Senator's absence, on three occasions last week on the Order of Business.

Believe it or not, the issue was discussed. I suggest the tapes may not have helped the country's image, but the people must know the truth. It is the prerogative of Independent Newspapers to print the content of the tapes if they wish. This is a free country and we have free media. Certainly, the people should know the truth. What we heard on the tapes was shocking and I am sure it will lead to criminal proceedings in the future.

Senator John Whelan spoke about turf cutting and I note the points he made. There are a number of special areas of conservation and what we saw at the weekend was blatant disregard of the law of the land, which cannot be tolerated. As has been pointed out, good progress has been made on the issue and the European Commission is now willing to work with Ireland to develop a national plan for all of Ireland's protected raised bogs. For the first time, this may involve some flexibility on a small minority of bogs but only if turf cutting ceases on these protected bogs while the plan is being progressed.