Order of Business - 4th October 2006

Order of Business – 4th October 2006

Mr. Norris: Not unnaturally I agree with part of what Senator Lydon has said. Although I have been long a supporter of women's rights, I do not see the European Court of Justice ruling as a women's rights issue. What we have heard in the Chamber this morning is political correctness gone utterly mad. The debate should be on length of service and not on an aspect of discrimination. If one accepts length of service as a criteria, then it is ludicrous to reward people for not being at work. I never heard anything so bizarre in my life.

Ms Terry: What about equal pay for an equal job?

Mr. Norris: Yes and if one accepts equal pay for equal work, then the court is right. Of course women must take time off work to have children. What is also being considered is taking a year off for child-rearing.

Why should employers be required to pay on the basis of experience that is simply not there?

Dr. Mansergh: They should be required to do so because it is socially desirable.

Mr. Norris: I always enjoy Senator Mansergh's contributions but I ask him - a historian who comes from a stable of historians - whether he will tell the House when the last Exchequer reports for the Dark Ages were issued?

Ms White: The views Senator Norris is expressing are Victorian.

Ms O'Rourke: I assume Senator Norris's reference to "Dark Ages" is metaphorical.

Mr. Norris: Under the Cathaoirleach's severe rulings, we cannot have a debate on this matter now. As somebody who has supported women's rights all my political life, I will be happy to bring some plain common sense to it when it takes place. When one gets into political correctness, one is on a sticky wicket.
I support my colleague Senator Quinn, who raised the important issue of how urban sprawl affects this city. I will pass a bouquet to the other side, however, by pointing to the conference, A New Heart for Dublin, organised by Senator Morrissey, a Government Member, for 20 October in Dublin Castle. I hope Members who are concerned about this issue will attend and I congratulate Senator Morrissey on this initiative.
I applaud the Taoiseach for the extraordinary neatness with which he arranged the money in his sock. If it were me, I would probably have ended up with £47,579.14 and a halfpenny. The Taoiseach, however, managed to achieve the target of €50,000 exactly and put it in the sock. This was well done. It is the type of financial credibility that has made this country great.

Mr. Leyden: He should have bought a house in Cyprus.

Mr. Norris: There is a serious issue here, although it is a slightly grey area. I laugh when I hear the Tánaiste, Deputy McDowell, bellyaching about leaks. Is he serious?

An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris should speak on matters relevant to the Order of Business.

Mr. Norris: This matter raises a serious issue which the House should debate. This is the sinister attempts that have been made to undermine politicians. I condemn absolutely the attempt to impugn the reputation of the Taoiseach by offering forged documents to the tribunal.

Mr. B. Hayes: Hear, hear.

Mr. Norris: This was a most disgraceful and criminal act. I hope it will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to account.
My final point relates to Babcock and Brown, Eircom and so on. Consumers are getting a lousy deal. We must all do something about this, including Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party, which was effective on ground rent and in getting rid of landlordism. Why are we still paying rental money to Australia, France and pension funds all over the world for lines put in by this State, paid for by us and itemised in every telephone bill we receive? We must eradicate landlordism in the telecommunications business by putting an end to line rent.