Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the announcement of the commission of inquiry into the story of the mother and baby homes across the country. I have been greatly impressed by the commentary of some figures in this debate and in particular, I single out the local historian, Ms Catherine Corless, both for her great work and for the reasonableness with which she has addressed the issues that have been under debate. Unfortunately, I do not believe we have been so well served by the media, whose coverage on this issue has been mixed and the quality of their coverage has been patchy to say the least. We are not well served by international media, perhaps assisted by ideological elements in the media in Ireland, who wish to promote and perpetuate a particular narrative of Ireland.

The truth is what should matter and the truth will be very painful for our society to consider. In all that we do, we must not lose sight of the lack of respect for children and the lives of children in our country and abroad as it goes on at present. Let not the truth-telling that is so important in respect of these homes distract us or allow us to be hypocritical in respect of our failure to care for people properly in our society today. I wish to make one particular point in this regard, which is we have not been well served by politicians who have engaged in a degree of profile building on the back of this issue. It was too early to be using words like "manslaughter" or "genocide", whether in this House or the next. All Members must be extremely careful not to instrumentalise the very tragic stories involved simply to get short-term coverage. While it is a legitimate aim for politicians to try to get attention in the media, please not on the back of these unfortunate people.

I ask that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government come into the House to discuss the issue of the operation of the building control regulations. I have heard from a friend in east Galway who finds himself facing several thousand euro, up to €10,000, in additional costs because of the operation of these building regulations. He told me the money he had put aside to put the windows and doors into the new home he plans to build on his own land will be swallowed up by these costs and he does not know whether he can proceed with the project.

It seems that these regulations make a lot of sense in the context of Priory Hall-type developments, in which large contractors engaged in shoddy practices and used shoddy materials. I also am very much in favour of ensuring high standards.

I note there is an online petition by people - small people one might say - who want to build and are concerned about the operation of these regulations and the costs they will impose, particularly where money has already been spent on the planning process. I would like the Minister, who is a countryman himself, to debate this issue further with us.

I welcome the proposed publication of legislation on lobbying. This is long awaited legislation but what it contains is important. It is, for example, important that a required cooling-off period be introduced between the time a Government employee ceases work and subsequently begins employment as a lobbyist. We will also have to give careful consideration to the definition of "lobbying intent" and to distinctions between official and private contacts among lobbyists and public officials. It seems to be that would not be appropriate and I look forward to seeing the legislation.