John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support my Senator colleagues regarding the mistruth being promulgated by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, on possible savings following the abolition of the Seanad. The accounts for this House show that it costs €8.8 million. When one accounts for tax, PRSI and the universal social charge, one arrives at a figure in the region of €4.4 million. It is outrageous that the Minister is now using people with disabilities as bait and saying the money will be diverted towards them when the reality is that the money will be diverted towards new committees, providing extra resources for Deputies and some kind of overarching advisory body that the Taoiseach is to put in place. If the people want evidence of the fact that this is something along the lines of a pre-election promise that will not be honoured, they should note that the pre-budget promise I received that the €7 million taken from the home help service in 2012 would be restored in 2013 was not honoured. Not one cent of it has been restored.

I was at a mass yesterday in Castlecoote marking the 28th anniversary of Fr. Niall Molloy's murder. It was attended by a huge crowd, including family, friends and supporters of Fr. Molloy. Many of them said to me that they wanted to see justice done in this case. Three to four months ago I tabled an Adjournment matter on this issue. The Minister stated the cold case investigation was taking place and that he could not comment any further until it was concluded. It concluded over two months ago and the report has been on his desk for the past two months. The people of Castlecoote, County Roscommon want to see justice done; they want to see a conclusion. If somebody broke the law, they would plead for mercy. The man in question did not break the law but was murdered. We are pleading for justice for him.