Order of Business - 18th October 2006

Order of Business - 18th October 2006
Mr. Norris: I join with Senator Brian Hayes in calling for a debate on the children’s hospital. Senator Feeney was inaccurate in what she told the House; I am sure it was unintentional. I raised this issue immediately upon learning of it. I did so in light of the fact that there were calls from a group of senior consultants asking that an international peer review panel be established. It would not have caused a big hold-up, it would only have taken three weeks to review the criteria. This was not done.
Archbishop Neill has commented on the issue. As archbishop, his statements have invariably been moderate, considered and balanced. It is important to listen to him when he speaks on an issue like this. We cannot be coerced into agreement. While I believe in the separation of church and State, we need to listen when someone like Archbishop Neill speaks in such tones.
The children’s hospital was closed down and amalgamated with Tallaght Hospital. Undertakings were given at the time but these have now been broken. There is no doubt that this will be a considerable loss to the surrounding area. I live next door to the Mater Hospital and we are living in a traffic jam. Any idiot can see that it is easier to get to Tallaght. If I had any children it would suit me to have the Mater Hospital upgraded and I do not begrudge anything that is brought to the north side of the city.
It is sometimes said that there is no religious boundary in the provision of treatment. This is incorrect and the Mater Hospital is a classic example of this. I raised this when cancer treatment was withdrawn from women on spurious grounds-----
Mr. B. Hayes: So did I.
Mr. Norris: -----that had nothing to do with medicine but everything to do with the completely inappropriate ethical committees that sat in judgment.
Mr. O’Toole: Hear, hear.
Mr. Norris: I do not like Catholic ethical committees. I do not like Protestant ethical committees. Religious sectarianism of any kind does not have a role in this area. The only reason I would support what is described as a Protestant ethos is because it clears those theological conceptions out of the way and places at the centre of treatment the rights and welfare of the patient and the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. That is an important value which should be open to all citizens of this State, not just Catholics or Protestants.
I want to raise a number of other issues.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach: Other Senators have indicated they wish to speak, Senator Norris.
Mr. Norris: I managed to get an extension of this time by 15 minutes, about which I am sure they will all be pleased.
A Senator: For himself.
Mr. Norris: Not just for myself.
Mr. Ryan: He did it all on his own.
Mr. Norris: These are serious issues. We put forward the idea of the amendment to the Treaty of Amsterdam. We were given certain indications. We were told, for example, that there were only one or two pieces of information. That is wrong. A total of 34 pieces of information were given. We were told it would be hermetically sealed. The American authorities have indicated that this information is being made available to the FBI and the CIA as well. We should reopen this matter.
On a similar issue, we should have a debate on the Shell to Sea campaign. It is not appropriate that the Garda forces of this State should be enlisted in the interests of multinational corporations, particularly ones that have disgraced themselves throughout the world. It is not appropriate to have an elderly woman pushed to the ground and injured.
Finally, could we have some solidarity and respect for this House from our fellow Members? Yet again today the transport committee meets at 2.30 p.m. to coincide exactly with the Order of Business in this House. That is a gross lack of respect for this House. I have spoken to the Government side. I have had informal agreement. We should pull our members out of that committee. It cannot meet if we all show loyalty. It would be in quorate. I am dismayed by some of my fellow Senators who let us down by turning up at the committee and allowing it to function while they treat this House with absolute and total contempt. By collaborating with the committee, they are bringing this House into disrepute.