Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose that it be taken immediately after No. 4, the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015. Anybody who wishes to discuss the matter should be here. We will provide an hour for the debate. If nobody is here, there will be no debate so it is up to Members to be here to discuss that matter.

Senators Marie Moloney, Máiría Cahill, Michael Comiskey, Michael Mullins, Diarmuid Wilson and Colm Burke and other Senators spoke about the flooding and storm damage we have seen over the past number of days. Everybody lauded the work of the emergency services in their efforts to help people. Senator Moloney outlined the fact that services are available from the Department of Social Protection. Senator Comiskey also spoke about that matter. Senator Cahill extended her sympathy to the family of Ivan Vaughan, a gentleman in his seventies who was swept away in the floods, and wished the 14 year old who went into the waters off Hook Head a speedy recovery. I understand she was part of a scouting group visiting Hook Head and I am sure we all wish that girl well. Senator Mullins said that the flood defences put in place over the past number of years were holding up. That is the message that is coming from most areas where flood defences have been installed. Senator Wilson expressed the wish that people who need aid would get it. Finance has been put in place under the capital plan, so there is a plan in place for the alleviation of flooding in the areas we see on our television screens so often.

Senator Colm Burke also spoke about flood defences and the need for proper design and planning. He mentioned the UK. The ones that have been put in place in Ireland are holding up well. He argued that a rates waiver should be considered by local authorities, which is a very good idea.

Senators Norris, Craughwell, Brennan, Keane and Bradford mentioned the "RTE Investigates" programme that aired last night. They rightly pointed out that corruption is a cancer in public life. The revelations in the programme are shocking and go against the definition and spirit of public service as we know it. It is unacceptable for any public representative to use their position for financial gain. Senator Keane mentioned that the Government has strengthened the Freedom of Information Act, established the whistleblower framework and legislated for the creation of a register of lobbying to increase transparency. Local authority members are designated public officials under the new register of lobbying and their interactions when lobbied must now be reported by lobbyists, thus shining a light on the practice for the first time. The Government has put measures in place to counteract such lobbying. I hope these measures will bear fruit and that we will not see what we saw on our screens last night. Senator Norris also questioned the methods employed by RTE in this programme. I note his points in that regard. I agree with Senator Paul Coghlan that in respect of people who received letters from RTE that were found to be wrong, RTE should as a matter of courtesy issue apologies to the people it upset. I understand how Senator Norris felt at being wrongly accused. Anybody who is wrongly accused would be shaken. Apologies should be issued by the national broadcaster where it made false allegations against people.

Senators Barrett and Cahill spoke about the death of Fr. Gerry Reynolds and praised his work during the peace process. I join in their praise. Senator Paul Coghlan raised the issue of vulture funds and their non-attendance at the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. The Senator raised that matter on the Order of Business last week and I agree that these companies should be held accountable and, if possible, compelled to appear before the committee.

Senator Sheahan spoke about loan sharks, legal and illegal moneylenders and the exorbitant interest rates that are charged. He is quite right that there are so-called legal moneylenders charging very exorbitant rates. He advised people to go to their credit unions. We have all witnessed people who go to these loan sharks looking for a small amount of money and, in some cases, having to pay double, if not treble, the amount they have actually borrowed. They are in continuous debt as a result. The credit union is the place to go for help in that regard. Most of the other matters raised concerned flooding and the RTE programme, so I think I have dealt with those.