Order of Business - 6th February 2008

Order of Business - 6th February 2008

Senator David Norris: I want to raise a matter related to the groceries order, which was abolished by this House. Today the Irish Farmers Association issued a statement that its members are being badly squeezed by predatory pricing by the large supermarkets. That is clear. It is related also to the Beverage Council of Ireland, which stated last week that the unloading of enormous quantities of drink by supermarkets was adversely affecting the situation regarding alcohol. This was also a power of the groceries order. I wonder whether we can have a look at the matter.
I want the Leader to ask the relevant Ministers whether, in the light of the action currently being taken by the hoteliers’ association and others against their employees’ interests and the intervention of the labour market, the Government would consider preparing legislation that would rectify any defect to be found. It is outrageous that the most financially vulnerable elements should be targeted by this wealthy group.

Senator Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.
It is all part of a situation where the Competition Authority is involved. We ought to have a look at the way the authority operates, in making a tin god out of competition. It has already inhibited the rights of the weakest elements in the acting profession. For example, those who do voiceovers who earn an average of €7,000 a year who are inhibited under threat of criminal sanctions by the Competition Authority and others from being represented collectively in bargaining. It is the same in the case of the pharmacists. There is also the judgment in the Ryanair case last year. I hope that the Government will give a commitment to introduce legislation that will protect the rights of our most vulnerable workers.
Last week I asked the Leader to request that our embassy in Nigeria monitor the fate of various people who have been expelled ruthlessly back to that country. The Leader gave me a commitment that he would do so but I have heard nothing from him since. I would be glad if we could have an update on that and a commitment that these people’s future will be monitored. We have a moral responsibility.
I suggest that we all unite in condemning the so-called Real IRA for coming out and saying they will re-open their campaign.

Senator Jim Walsh: Re-open the Curragh.

Senator David Norris: They are utter cowards. They seem to think that we have forgotten the shame they brought on us at the time of the Omagh bomb, and that this has evaporated. It has not. They are also traitors to this country, North and South, because they are doing it, apparently, in the context of a major investment conference in the North of Ireland. We should condemn them as cowards, as traitors and as totally unrepresentative of the Irish people.

Senator Paul Coghlan: Hear, hear.