Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Ó Domhnaill's amendment to the Order of Business. I pay tribute to members of the banking inquiry which is publishing its report today and especially the Members of this House, Senators Barrett, D'Arcy, O'Keeffe and MacSharry. They did tremendous work to ensure the publication of the report today. I want that put on the record of the House.

Could the Leader clarify, through his good offices, how money is allocated towards those who were victims of recent floods over the Christmas period and since? I understand that the Irish Red Cross has been designated to deal with the allocation of grants to those poor, unfortunate people. However, I also understand that unless a person is a ratepayer, he or she is not entitled to any compensation through the fund administered by the Irish Red Cross. I am aware there is another hardship fund which is operated through the Department of Agriculture but, for the Government's information, there are people who live in rural Ireland who are not farmers. Could the Leader clarify where these people stand? They live in rural areas but do not pay rates because they are not businesspeople. They are not farmers and do not qualify for the hardship fund from the Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, for personal reasons I was not able to attend the House for the statements on the motion on local government. I applaud the all-party approach. If some people try to break from the all-party-and-none approach then it is unfortunate. It is the county councillors of this State who are in need of all our assistance and solo runs from anybody in this House or outside it is of no benefit. There may be short-term gain for some Members of this House or the Lower House but the focus should be on ensuring that councillors who represent their local communities, and who are our electorate, are the beneficiaries of a much-needed and long-overdue package that can be achieved for them.

I join Senator Ó Domhnaill in welcoming to the Public Gallery Mr. Mervyn Clarke and Mr. Martin Gaffney, friends of mine and businessmen in my local town.