Order of Business - 5th April 2007

Mr. Norris: As always I listened with interest
and respect to my colleague, citizen Mansergh.
He is perfectly right that historical files are never
destroyed. It would be pretty difficult to destroy
them since they have all been tossed into a bonfire
or a skip or have been lost. That subject
should be addressed, namely, the extraordinary
inefficiency in the management of archiving.
Within a couple of months, the Garda managed
to get rid of fingerprints, photographs of fingerprints
and photographs of suspects supplied by
the RUC. It was an astonishing performance. We
should criticise the Garda and I make no bones
about so doing. That is a very minimal level of
management and it has nothing whatever to do
with DNA or scientific developments.
The most crucial elements of the investigation
were dumped and within such a short time of the
then Taoiseach, Mr. Liam Cosgrave, assuring the
public that no stone would be left unturned and
that the people who perpetrated this monstrous
act would be brought to justice. Within a couple
of months, everything was thrown on a bonfire
somewhere. That is not acceptable now, nor was
it at that time. We are not talking about the dark
ages. There is a real question of very poor management
of archive material and the public, and
certainly the relatives, deserve to be reassured
about that.
I am sure many people, in addition to myself,
heard Vincent Browne’s radio programme last
night on which a very dignified and composed
woman spoke. She gave a clear, factual and
unemotional account of what happened to her.
At first she thought she had been struck by lightning.
I had no idea Vincent Browne, who I sometimes
criticise, played such a role. He displayed
great courage and initiative in trying to go to the
assistance of members of the public given the
appalling things he confronted. He said he tried
to pick up a woman, but she disintegrated. What
a horrible thing to deliberately do to another
human being. We are entitled to look into this
matter. I do not accept we are at the end of it yet.
There has been a lack of co-operation in certain
instances from the British Government.
In addition to the missing files, there is a missing
chapter in the report because for technical,
legal reasons, which have been explained to the
Taoiseach, a particular line of inquiry about
somebody in regard to whom information was
made available to the Garda could not be pursued.
When that person was called to the inquest,
he got legal advice to stop his appearance. There
are many unanswered questions.
Will the Leader ask the Government why we
have been strongly criticised by the OECD for
not fighting corruption? We have apparently
signed up to the United Nations Convention
Against Corruption but the proper implementation
of this convention relies upon the generation
of domestic legislation and we have not
done this. There are situations where companies
here could bribe figures in other parts of the
world. I would like to think that we would try to
establish good standards.
At the instigation of Pax Christi which is a very
admirable organisation, I submitted an item on
the Order Paper on the topic of cluster bombs. I
will end on a good note by informing the House
that the British Government last week introduced
legislation for a complete ban on the use of cluster
bombs, these filthy things which kill so many
children. The British Government has committed
itself to destroy the stockpiles of this material,
which is to be welcomed. I think further action is
required but this is a good day’s work on the part
of the British Government.
1977 Order of 5 April 2007. Business 1978
Mr. Leyden: Will the Leader consider resuming
the debate on regional transport policy which
would include discussion regarding the magnificent
contract signing yesterday with two Spanish
companies and an Irish company for \605 million
for the N6 from Ballinasloe to Galway city, which
is 57.6 km.
Ms O’Rourke: It will have to come to us first.
Mr. Leyden: To anticipate the Leader’s
response——
Mr. B. Hayes: How much did the magnificent
ceremony cost?
Mr. Dardis: Are they working from the other
end?
Mr. Leyden: ——it is vital that we do not leave
out the section from Athlone to Ballinasloe
because there is no point having the road completed
on the Galway and Dublin sides but leave
out the patch of County Roscommon——
Mr. Norris: It will not take long to do.
Mr. Leyden: ——which is not yet going ahead.
We should push for that to be completed by 2010.
It is a great day for the BMW region and a great
day for the west that a motorway will be built
from Galway to Dublin. I compliment the
Government on this marvellous achievement.
Mr. B. Hayes: Whenever it happens.
Mr. Leyden: It is not every day a great honour
is bestowed on one’s own county. The greatest
honour has been bestowed on County
Roscommon by the appointment of Lieutenant-
General Dermot Earley as chief of staff of the
Defence Forces from 28 June.
Senators: Hear, hear.
An Cathaoirleach: This has been noted. The
Senator knows that this is not relevant to the
Order of Business and he should not use the
Order of Business——
Mr. Leyden: It is relevant to County
Roscommon.
An Cathaoirleach: County Roscommon is only
relevant to the Order of Business when it is on
the Order of Business. It is not correct procedure
for the Senator to take such an opportunity.
Mr. Leyden: It will not arise again for a number
of years.
An Cathaoirleach: I call Senator Quinn.
Mr. Norris: He has spoken already.
An Cathaoirleach: I apologise, I call Senator
Browne.
Mr. Browne: I wish I had his money as well. I
ask the Leader to speak to the Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government to
consider an information campaign aimed at firsttime
voters such as 18 year olds in secondary
schools or in their first college year and the many
new citizens who are entitled to vote. Our system
of voting is quite complex. People probably have
a vague idea of what it involves. Over the next
few weeks, we will all hear phrases such as, “ I
won’t forget you”, and, “I’ll give you a vote”. Of
course we all want to hear the famous phrase,
“I’ll give you my No. 1”. However, we need to
explain to the public the difference between giving
a No. 1 or a No. 2 to a candidate and the
system of elimination.