Order of Business - 24th May 2006

Order of Business - 24th May 2006


Mr. Norris: I agree with Senator O´ Murchu´ on
the need for an independent inquiry into the
assassination of Pat Finucane. It is dreadful when
such murders occur but even more dreadful when
a government agency of some description is suspected
of involvement. Contrary to Lord
Denning’s view, appalling vistas must be confronted
rather than avoided because if they are
avoided they will continue to occur. I hate the
idea of governments being involved in such
crimes but, regrettably, it is the case all over the
world. If it emerges that the British are implicated
then so be it. There must be an independent
inquiry.
The Supreme Court judgment, mentioned by
Senator Brian Hayes, is very important but we
should not just approach the issue as a reason for
tightening up loopholes. We should look at the
whole question of the age of consent and the nature
of consent itself. There have been cases
involving women teachers——
Ms O’Rourke: We were just discussing that.
Mr. Norris: Such relationships are not always
vicious. I know of a number of reported cases
where a couple went on to marry and have
families. Obviously when a teacher is involved
there is a potential violation——
Ms O’Rourke: Of trust.
Mr. Norris: As a teacher I assure Senators that
as a principle I never had anything to do with any
of my students in that regard. The Law Reform
Commission has produced a sensitive set of proposals
that treat the matter in a subtle way. There
is no point in using the arm of the law to crush
people in consensual relationships. If we are concerned,
as Senator Glynn and I are, about the
welfare of youths, let us do something about a
matter which we can clearly control, namely, the
appalling epidemic of bullying, in the form of
homophobic abuse, which was exposed in a
report published last week. The report also stated
that whereas 90% of teachers were aware of it,
80% did nothing about it. One of the principal
reasons for that is its occurrence in church
schools. The report traced much of the homophobia
back to church statements and that is why we
are all afraid to address it. If we are serious about
the welfare of young men and about preventing
bullying and possible suicides we should tackle
this behaviour.
Can we have a debate on the role of utilities in
society? We have been flogging everything, such
as Aer Lingus and Eircom. I noticed that one of
my colleagues described the company buying
Eircom as “Ballcock & Brown”. A right ballcock
has been made of the entire matter and as a consumer
I am not pleased. We are told the lines
belong to consumers if there is something wrong
with them but to the company when we have to
pay the rent. Can the Leader ask the Government
to treat this matter in exactly the same way as it
dealt with ground rents? I have, as have other
Senators, paid several times over for the cost of
a line but we are still charged \30 or \40 per
month for it. It is absolutely outrageous, and is
an imperialist tactic. Now Monsieur Fanon and
other investors will rule the roost and they have
said they want to make money out of it. Lots of
other people have done so, including the proprietor
of the Irish Independent, whose front page
expresses pleasure about the deal. What about
the unfortunate telephone users?