Order of Business - 27th April 2007

Order of Business – 27th April 2007
Mr. Norris: I rise on a solemn matter, to
announce the date of the general election, which
will be 24 May. I know this definitively because I
heard Mr. Charlie Bird say it on the news.
An Cathaoirleach: That is not relevant to the
Order of Business.
Mr. Norris: Nothing could be more relevant.
Mr. Dardis: Is Senator Norris going to the
Park?
Mr. Norris: The Cathaoirleach should use his
high office to communicate this news to the
Taoiseach so that he can facilitate the process by
dissolving the Da´ il.
An Cathaoirleach: I have no function in the
matter.
Mr. Lydon: The election will be on 4 July.
Mr. Norris: In regard to today’s business, one
need only look about the Chamber. The attendance
is pathetic, even for the Order of Business.
There is practically nobody here.
Mr. Lydon: They are all in their offices
working.
Mr. Norris: They also know when the election
is.
Mr. Dardis: Some of them had to attend a
funeral this morning.
Mr. Norris: I take part in most of the debates
in this House and I took part in virtually everything
that happened yesterday. However, I have
no intention of wasting my time contributing to
the debate on the remaining Stages of the Criminal
Justice Bill 2007. It is merely a farce and an
empty gesture. No amendments will be accepted.
We are talking into thin air and I have more
important things to do than waste my time in this
fashion. I said yesterday when I spoke on Second
Stage that I will not go through an empty
ritual.
I agree with Senator O’Toole that it would be
outrageous to allow a selection process on the
basis of a sectarian head count by the authorities.
I am not absolutely sure there is a need for all
these different denominational schools. I never
liked that system as it operated in Northern
Ireland. It was one of the sources of the conflict
there. Neither am I keen on it in this State.
Senator O’Toole and I have tabled a motion
relating to the situation whereby the various
denominations, although it principally affects the
Roman Catholic Church, have obtained an
exemption from laws that govern the fundamental
liberties of the citizens of this country. It is
a disgrace that they are not covered by equality
legislation. This exemption copperfastens bullying,
especially bullying with a homophobic
element.
This links in to what Senator Glynn said. There
is a sevenfold multiplier in terms of suicide rates
if they are broken down on a gender basis. I am
sure Senator Glynn is aware, and I do not make
reference to any particular case in making this
point, that there is a further considerable multiplier
when the question of sexual identity is taken
into account. This is not being addressed as it
should be.