Order of Business - 15th February 2007

Order of Business - 15th February 2007
Mr. Norris: I second Senator Ryan’s proposed change to the Order of Business. The House must have a discussion on rendition. It is time for honesty, which we have not had from the Government. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has equivocated and refused to answer or evaded direct questions. Every time he has been asked about our complicity in rendition flights he has stated there is no proof prisoners were transported through Irish airports. No such allegation has been made in the House. What we said was precisely what the European Parliament has now found, namely, that Ireland is clearly implicated - directly, physically and practically - in what is described as the rendition circuit. We assisted and collaborated in refuelling the aeroplanes in question and knew what they were involved in. It has been known for a long time. The registration numbers of the aeroplanes were made known and in my correspondence with the Minister I sent him all the relevant details. I also made a complaint to the Garda Commissioner. The Government did not want to know what was taking place but it was aware of it.
I am shocked at Senator Dardis. The Senator can be sharp but he is usually honest. To describe the report passed overwhelmingly by the European Parliament as the view of one man is less than the truth. Let us not argue that this is a case of party political point-scoring. It is the people of Europe speaking about a shameful practice in which Ireland has been involved. It is about time the House did what the majority of Senators agreed, on my suggestion, to do, namely, establish a committee of inquiry into rendition flights. The resolution passed by the European Parliament asks us to do precisely this. We know the law has been broken so let us not have any equivocation. If we had established the inquiry when I proposed to do so, we would not be in the current mess, nor would we have been shamed before Europe.
Mr. Dardis: We have no right to enter aircraft.
Mr. Norris: I join my colleagues who seek a debate on the tribunals. While I am in favour of finding out the truth and believe the behaviour of some political figures in selling out has been shameless, €1 billion is a large sum of money. An audit of the costs of the tribunal should be carried out. It shocks me that the banks, which have been exposed over the years as being guilty of financial malpractice, have routinely charged more than €13,000 to carry out an inquiry into a notice for discovery. They slap in a bill for €13,000 and it is paid straight away. That is milking the system.
I ask for a debate on democracy in local government. I noted in a report in one of the newspapers yesterday that the management of Dublin City Council has signed a contract with a French advertising company to place large advertising hoardings all over the city. The city council will not receive money in return but will, instead, get a couple of bicycles and a free map. The proposal was not put to local representatives on the city council for discussion. What is happening to local democracy when the city authorities can sell off city spaces without recourse to the citizens of Dublin or their elected representatives?