David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I share the opposition of Fianna Fáil to the full and final privatisation of Aer Lingus. To take one fact about Aer Lingus, it has treated its pensioners in a grotesque manner. Despite being in profit, the company has shafted its own pensioners, cutting some of their pensions by 60%. That decision was intolerable. I hope the Government will carefully examine the issue.

With regard to Auschwitz, I endorse the comments made by Senator Bacik. Auschwitz is an important memorial, particularly as the people who survived it are now few in number. I note that Alfred Hitchcock made a film about Auschwitz, which has never been seen but is about to be given a showing in London. I hope it will also be made available here as I understand it contains some quite extraordinary scenes.

With regard to the election in Greece, I welcome completely the decision of the Greek people and hope it marks an end to the period when German leaders went around Europe deposing duly elected leaders of different countries and installing eurocrats to do their bidding. It is time the people of Europe stood up. While they are showing some signs of doing so, albeit in a kind of random fashion by voting for independents and so forth, something more concentrated, a real opposition, is needed because there is a complete disconnect between the people who are governed and the governing parties. Governments are totally out of touch, although they are in touch with the financial system, which they are doing everything to preserve at the expense of their own people.

A debt conference is needed. It is ludicrous for the Government to argue that we do not need one. If any country needed a debt conference, it is Ireland because we were massively swindled by European institutions. Of course, we should demand a debt conference.