Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

We will miss Jody very much. I know that her dog, her garden, her friends and her family will be the beneficiaries of her time away from us. She has been more than helpful, particularly to those of us who are new not only to the Seanad but to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I greatly appreciate her kindness and common sense. We will miss her very much. We hope she will take the opportunity in both hands and have a great time and think of us just every now and again. When those long speeches are being delivered here and the little arguments break out, we will have her somewhere in our thoughts. I extend a big warm "thank you" to her for everything.

On the subject of the Committee of Public Accounts and the issue of charities, it appears to me that the confusion in regard to Rehab concerns the role of private business and charities combined. Behind Rehab is an extraordinary network of companies that defies belief. Who are all these companies? Who are the directors of them? Some of them are names we already know. How is it that they are able to build up such a network of private business while having charitable status? In this day and age, is that the correct way for charities to function? I would have very deep reservations particularly when I see extraordinary crossovers between those companies, not only here but in the UK, and the closeness of a particular group of people within those companies and those directors. I ask the Leader if the House could assist in that issue. The Committee of Public Accounts has its own role in scrutinising public expenditure but we too have a role in regard to future legislation in respect of charities. I ask the Leader if we could have a debate on the issue.

I note President Higgins' remark when he addressed the UK Joint Houses of Parliament this week that he remembered Constance Markievicz was the first woman MP. In so doing, he acknowledged the great role of women in politics and in public life.

I hope to see more women elected in the forthcoming local elections. This is something we need to strive towards in the future. We got off to a great start with Countess Markievicz but we need to do more. I thank the President for making that remark.