Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. I have listened with great intent to the debate today and the debate that took place in the committee room on this issue. The previous speaker, Senator O'Reilly spoke about being a layperson. I would probably classify myself in the same bracket too. I am trying to get a handle on everything that is going on, having listened to all the contributions which have all made perfect sense to me. I am trying to get into the heads of the people who drafted the legislation in respect of the goals they are trying to achieve and what their thinking is around the particular issue we are discussing this afternoon. I am a bit confused in that I know the men and women of the Defence Forces. I have dealt with both representative associations, PDFORRA and RACO down through the years.I always found their representatives to be very reasonable individuals with a great deal of common sense, very measured in their comments and very respectful in all their deliberations. When they talk I listen, and I listened to their concerns. The concerns they have were well articulated by our colleagues here. How have we arrived at this point where, notwithstanding the reasonable answers the Tánaiste is giving to the queries, there is still a degree of confusion regarding what the outworkings of this legislation will be if it passes through this House later this afternoon?

I am saddened that, despite all the debate about this point, we still have confusion about it. People hold very strong views, as have been articulated by my colleagues to my left this afternoon. To my mind it appears to be excessive and overreaching and if that is so, why does the Tánaiste feel the need to travel that road in this legislation? This is bearing in mind the comments I made earlier about PDFORRA and RACO and how they go about their business and have done for more than 30 years. Where is the evidence for legislation drafted in such a manner that both organisations have voiced serious concerns about it? That is the part that disappoints me about this. Despite what would appear to be reasonable arguments put forward by the Tánaiste that confusion and lack of clarity still exists. I hope this afternoon we might get more clarity.

Senator Wilson gave the example, as did others, that a manager of a credit union who goes to a public meeting would be clearly identified as a member of that credit union. It would appear to be that he or she is then identifiable. Perhaps that is not the intent of the legislation, and I know the Tánaiste will make that point, but if it was not the intent then why is it included in this legislation? That is the part I am concerned about. In summary, I am concerned that confusion seems to exist out there. The reasonable people who make up the Defence Forces - the representative associations that comprise reasonable, practical and sensible people who do not have form for wild statements during my dealings with them - have still voiced their concerns about the legislation, as they see it and as they read it. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments in that regard.