Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the case of Harry Gleeson but a number of people were killed mercilessly in this country, either by the State or by people who believed they had the right to do it. I often wonder what these people went through in the night before they were shot or hung. I agree with Senator Ó Murchú that the President should bring together all parties who were involved in the case of Harry Gleeson. I cannot begin to imagine what that man went through that night. I read his final statement, which showed what a generous man he was as he prayed for people on his way to the hangman.

I met Dunnes Stores staff this morning and the way they are being treated is outrageous. I compliment the Mandate trade union on the way it has stuck with those workers down through the years. I am delighted to hear the Government is to carry out an investigation into zero-hours contracts. They might start in Departments, where the terms and conditions of employees have been totally and utterly wrecked. There are nurses, doctors, teachers and professional lecturers on zero-hours contracts with employers within the State sector.

I received a freedom of information request by e-mail yesterday. How dare anyone send a freedom of information request seeking the name of a person who works in my office? She is a private citizen and no relation of mine. If she were a relation of mine, let someone ask me but how dare they send in nonsensical requests such as this? This is outrageous abuse. Could I write to any of the large companies in Ireland and ask for the names and addresses of its employees? No, I could not. A debate on freedom of information will take place today and I may raise this issue again then.

A matter reported in the newspapers is also of concern to me. A former member of the senior Government party said that realpolitik meant it was back to the drawing board in terms of water charges. We are now told it is not good enough to register with Irish Water to get the €100 water conservation grant. One must register with the Department of Social Protection. There is a serious question about the water conservation grant and its implications in that the transfer of funding to Irish Water could place the agency in a position of getting more than 51% State support. We must examine this issue and I call on the Leader to invite the Minister back to the House after Easter to see where this has all gone wrong. If we have to go back to the drawing board, let us do so before it becomes an even bigger mess.