Order of Business - 28th October 2008

Order of Business - 29th October 2008

Senator David Norris: I would welcome a debate on the decision made by University College Cork, which has behaved extremely responsibly. It did not pre-empt legislation in this area because such legislation does not exist, despite the efforts of my colleague, former Senator Mary Henry, who produced a Bill in this regard that was not adopted by the Government. University College Cork did not pre-empt anything and has not pre-empted a Supreme Court decision. Were a case to come before the Supreme Court, there is nothing to prevent it from making a decision. Faced with a vacuum in the law, University College Cork did the honest, decent and courageous thing by implementing a regime whereby the free range that existed previously now is properly addressed and tabulated. I have no problem with a debate although I will be on the other side to my good friend, Senator Mullen. However, I applaud University College Cork.
Senator Alex White referred to a serious economic commentator and there may be such - I do not know. However, the significant point is that no one, whether a serious economic commentator or otherwise, has managed to suggest a clear vision of the way out of this mess. That is significant. I agree with what I understand to have been Senator Harris's intention in stating the situation now is so dangerous that it is time to consider a national Government, using the talents of the various parties, in order that everyone will pull together if, as Ministers have asserted, the position is so serious.
Senator Terry Leyden: There is a surplus of talent.
Senator David Norris: In the absence of such leadership or analysis of the financial situation, one is left dealing with the queries of individual people. I conducted a radio interview the other day with an economic commentator and while I do not know how serious he was, he came up with a serious question. If a deposit taker, that is, the bank that has accepted the money, goes into liquidation, how long will it take to recover individuals' funds and what level of administration will be involved? He provided the specific example of one of his clients who is considering the building of a new family home in 2009. Were such a person to put €100,000 into one of the wobbly banks, as it were, will he be able to get it back out? What delays will there be? These are real and immediate problems. I second Senator Mullen's amendment and apologise for not so doing earlier.
I seek a debate on the Middle East. I have asked for such a debate a number of times. Two days ago, the Americans invaded Syria. They crossed the border with a fleet of helicopters, landed in broad daylight and machine-gunned a family home, resulting in more than half a dozen deaths, a number of which were of children. This took place without discussion. How long will Bush be allowed to commit murder in such a way? The voice of protest must be raised because that man is in the final, dying days of his disgraceful presidency and I hope he does not do something catastrophic as a diversionary tactic.