Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Frequently, we get the Leader's infinite wisdom on topics. This morning, I would like him to discuss something and perhaps organise a debate on it. We are about to head into a winter of discontent in the public service. That is clear from what we have seen with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, teachers, the Army and gardaí. In fact, all of the public service is in crisis. Nevertheless, the people who caused the problem, namely, the bankers, will operate tax free for the next 20 years. How is it that we could introduce financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation to put our hands in the pockets of public sector workers and the pockets and wallets of pensioners but cannot introduce legislation to change the tax laws which allow the banks that broke the country to continue to trade back into healthy profits and in turn to go back to trading on the Stock Exchange? I would like a debate on that.

I have just returned from Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union, COSAC, at which the forthcoming European elections were discussed. An issue raised during that discussion was the use or misuse of social media. I made the point, which is one we should debate in the House, that the misuse of social media is only allowed because we have failed to regulate it. The Leader has an interest in this area. Perhaps he will consider organising a debate on how we might regulate the use of social media. In particular, we should discuss how to do away with the right of people to anonymity. While they can certainly use nicknames if they want, there must be a way to track them down and take action against them when they libel others. This is a matter worthy of debate and I am sure many Senators have something to say. I ask the Leader to organise such a debate at his earliest convenience.