David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader to contact the Minister responsible - perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd - for Waterways Ireland.

I am not sure if many people remember the Naomh Éanna, but there was a wonderful programme about it on Radio 1 which featured a speech by the late Seán Lemass. It was a proud moment when this then state-of-the-art boat was built in a Dublin dockyard and launched. It served the Aran Islands for many years, is an iconic vessel, is one of the few remaining fully riveted vessels in the world and has all of its original machinery. It is because of an ownership dispute that it has been left idle since 1986 in Grand Canal Dock and is now in a somewhat distressed state. A group that has already had success in restoring marine vessels wants a six-month moratorium on its sale. Apparently, Waterways Ireland is determined to sell it for scrap and as we speak, the boat is being stripped. I heard today that the brass portholes are being removed for scrap. This is appalling. All we are asking for is a six-month delay so that the interested group can put a proper plan together. The boat is being dismantled currently, but every scrap of it should be kept so that it can be reassembled. It would be a tourist attraction and would display Irish craftsmanship of which we can be proud. Will the Leader get in touch with the relevant Minister on this issue?

On another issue, I am not sure whether anybody has mentioned Sharon Ní Bheoláin today. What is going on is horrendous. I realise I am, to a certain extent, taking my life in my hands saying this, because newspapers are so utterly vengeful and poisonous and if one dares to criticise them, they will go after one. I am not afraid, but I am involved in legal proceedings - four legal cases - and must be a little careful. The editor of the most offensive newspaper apologised, but there was much talk about the women in the office being more or less responsible. The blame was shifted onto them. I heard a lot about -----