Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome our former colleague and friends in the Gallery and hope they have a lovely day. I refer Mr. Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill's decision in respect of the State's interpretation of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case brought by Louise O'Keeffe against the State. Mr. Justice O'Neill described the State's interpretation and approach as an "inherent inversion of logic" and as representing a "fundamental unfairness to applicants." The Government argued in interpreting the decision that it only applied to people who were abused after an initial complaint was made against a teacher and no action was taken. The decision, which was published yesterday, is very disturbing. I commend Louise O'Keeffe on her bravery and tenacity in fighting this case and highlighting this issue. I call for a debate in this House on Mr. Justice O'Neill's decision. We really need to consider how the State got to the point where it completely misinterpreted a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. That decision and poor interpretation really affected survivors of abuse in this country. It is very concerning and very unfair.

I also wish to raise the dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air in our city. It is particularly bad around the city centre and used to be really bad around where the Luas runs, just outside Trinity College. A high level of nitrogen dioxide causes serious health risks to people.It is understood to contribute to asthma, emphysema and carcinogenic outcomes in patients. This report came from the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. That is a serious body and we need to start taking heed of what it is saying. We must see Government action to combat environmental pollutants like this, which are in the air just outside the door. We need to take this issue a little more seriously.

The third issue I raise is Central Bank levies. These levies are forcing many credit unions to increase their interest rates and ultimately to close. A new Central Bank levy on credit unions will have a devastating impact on lending institutions. It will force massive interest rate increases, the closure of credit unions and their ultimate amalgamation. The credit union movement is very much consumer led. Ultimately the credit union model should be nourished. Credit Unions provide a very good service to consumers. They issue small and short-term loans to people who are really in need of financial help. Levies like this undermine the good service they provide. We should ask why they are being applied to credit unions and if there is anything we can do to help them, as they provide a good service to consumers throughout the country.