Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We would have a very harmonious House if some people had their way; if we could not discuss religion or politics. I second the amendment to the Order of Business which was moved by my colleague, Senator Mooney. I support everything that my leader, Senator Darragh O'Brien, said on rule 68. Educators should be entitled to protect their religious ethos. I agree it is unacceptable that people cannot get places in schools but perhaps that is because the Government has not provided enough school places and it has very little to do with religion.

I wholeheartedly support the comments of Senators Craughwell and Mullen on private investigators. The issue has been raised for a number of years. It was raised previously by Senator Michael D'Arcy, by the Leader and by me. On one occasion I brought to the attention of the House a situation involving a young man who had paid 75% of a loan he had on a truck to provide employment for himself and a number of other colleagues. He fell on hard times as a result of the recession and missed two payments. While he was attending an interview to seek employment, thugs arrived at his house, intimidated his mother - an ill elderly lady - robbed his truck and sold it for a pittance. That is the type of activity that was going on a number of years ago but, unfortunately, it continues to go on. So-called reputable financial institutions - I hesitate to use the word "reputable" due to their history - continue to use such practices and they are getting away with it. That is totally unacceptable. We must have a debate on the issue. I call on the Leader to facilitate a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality. She is due in the House on Friday and perhaps she could stay on for an extra few minutes and we could discuss this very serious situation. It is well known that private investigators are going around snooping, as Senator Craughwell said, on private individuals and leaking information to media outlets in order to embarrass them. It would be worth examining the situation to find out what the State-sponsored banks are paying such individuals.

I welcome the fact that the Government has handed the €5 million in emergency aid to the Irish Red Cross to distribute. It is a most appropriate organisation for that purpose. I hope the red tape will be cut out because the last time such a crisis occurred and financial aid was provided, 95% of people received nothing because of the hoops they had to jump through and the red tape they had to comply with.