Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not repeat what has been said but I commend Senator Norris on tabling these very important amendments. I mean no disrespect to the parliamentary counsel but the amendments are very well drafted. I agree with colleagues on the opposite side that they should be accepted. The case outlined by Senator Norris concerned an unfortunate individual who ended up in dire financial straits because of the manner in which his money was invested by the Courts Service.I would go further to suggest he might have a legal case against the Courts Service because I consider it to have been completely irresponsible in the manner in which it invested that money. Moreover, as Senators Norris and Keane have pointed out, it is totally unbelievable that in respect of an arm of the State, no audit has been conducted for more than two decades. I urge the Minister of State to accept these amendments. Perhaps, as Senator Keane suggested, too much financial security is being sought but when one is dealing with wards of court and vulnerable people, I do not think one can have too much security. Consequently, if the Minister of State cannot accept the amendments now, I urge her to agree to consider them again on Report Stage.