Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday I raised the issue of not debating the motion to appoint the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, and I was given the excuse that this was discussed at the relevant committee. However, there was a full debate in the Dáil yesterday. The Seanad has equal powers in this function to the Dáil. Why are we handing that power over to the Dáil? We had a referendum a few weeks ago where we said we would do things differently. We said we would make changes in the Seanad, yet yesterday we just rubber-stamped the appointment of important officers of State, without any debate. I am sure the person who gets the job will be an outstanding Ombudsman; he certainly has a good track record. However, if there is a problem, people will look back and ask why we never debated the issue and appointed the man without any discussion. That is a dereliction of our duty.

I see a motion on the Order Paper on justice and home affairs. I do not know if it is on the Order of Business today because I was not here at the time, but if that is going through without debate, again it is a disgrace. We have equal powers with the Dáil in respect of justice and home affairs at European level. If we do not pass the motion, it does not get passed.

It is about time we took our duty seriously in this House following the referendum. Otherwise people will come to the conclusion that maybe they should have abolished us. We have important powers to exercise on behalf of the citizens of this country and we should use them, debate the issues and we should look at these things properly. There is no point saying we are going to scrutinise European legislation when we are putting through significant decisions on changing the law in the form of a three-paragraph motion that is not debated. I call for full debates on all these motions. They do not have to be long debates, but they should be full debates.

I wish to raise the issue of Eirgrid. I am delighted that my party decided yesterday to call for the suspension of all Eirgrid transmission projects and the appointment of an independent mediator to mediate between residents and Eirgrid. This happened in Cork Harbour many years ago. It could provide a solution for people. The meeting last night in Trim was hot and heavy, with over 1,000 people attending. There was a very strong message put out that communities throughout the country, from Meath and Cavan, across to Mayo and down to Waterford, are not happy with this project and they are looking for answers from the Government. They are looking for a reversal of the decision of the Government with regard to Eirgrid and the planning issue. The Labour Senators will be disappointed to hear that the Labour Party officially declined to attend the meeting last night.

The Labour Party has given up on rural Ireland, but we will look after it as best we can when the Labour Party has left it. I second Senator MacSharry's amendment.