Order of Business - 16th December 2008

Order of Business - 16th December 2008
Senator David Norris: I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business that we take No. 28, motion 31, ''That Seanad Éireann condemns utterly the disgraceful action of the Government in destroying the Combat Poverty Agency [which we are doing today by the way] and the Equality Agency and the gutting of the Irish Human Rights Commission and calls on the Government to rescind these decisions.'' It is a shameful day for the Seanad that Part 5, section 30 of this Bill purports to destroy the Combat Poverty Agency. From those Government benches last week we heard a clear statement that this was not a money-saving exercise and it would actually cost money. Let us not have lies about that. This proposal will cost money to kick the poorest and the weakest elements of our society. It is a complete and utter disgrace. It was done in the week in which we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We followed it up then. We got all mention of human rights removed from the Charities Bill despite the fact that these provisions exist in all the neighbouring jurisdictions, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.
However, it did not stop there. We attacked the Human Rights Commission and savaged it. We then had a 43% cut in the Equality Authority, absolutely destroying its work as everybody knows, and it was deliberately done. In other words every single element concerned with human rights is being eliminated. The Sunday Independent celebrated human rights week and this matter by ignoring it and instead devoting an entire page to a scurrilous attack on Mary Robinson. Thank God for The Irish Times, which on its front page yesterday gave us a good hint as to what may well have been in Senator Boyle's mind.
Senator Jim Walsh: What about The New Ross Standard?
Senator David Norris: Do not be such a fool.
Senator Jim Walsh: Through the Chair.
Senator David Norris: You really make yourself a piggy when you behave like that. This is a serious matter.
An Cathaoirleach: We are on the Order of Business now.
Senator David Norris: I am on the Order of Business and I want to say this, which is very important because it leads to a situation where I believe the Government is in great moral danger. I remind the House and you, Senator Walsh, that it was a Minister for Justice on your side who spent some time in jail for corruption.
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator should not direct his remarks across the floor.
Senator David Norris: I want to help the House because questions have been asked about these influences. The front page of The Irish Times carried an article about the Equality Authority making a complaint to the Garda because of the alleged disclosure of information which is prohibited under the Act. This was disclosure of information that came about during the course of an investigation. A Roman Catholic chaplain in a prison was assaulted. He tried to get a copy of his terms of employment but was denied them. The court directed that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform should make this information available to him, but that was not done. He then alleged discrimination, but he was not found in favour of on that one. However, subsequently when this information was leaked from the Irish Prison Service by a named official, the Equality Authority found it was justified and he was awarded €40,000 in compensation. That amount of money is not awarded unless there is something to it. It was appealed but the appeal was dropped and the €40,000 was paid over.
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator has made the point.
Senator David Norris: I have not made the point, but I am going to make it. The point is that the person involved is now the Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The destruction of the Equality Authority, the authority that filed this complaint, is coming from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
In these circumstances there are grave questions to be answered by Government.
I would also question the actions of the chairperson of the Equality Authority in issuing such a statement after the chief executive had resigned. I have never seen such an extraordinary act of treachery.
An Cathaoirleach: Senator Norris, I ask you to resume your seat.
Senator David Norris: No, I will not.
An Cathaoirleach: It is not in order to name anyone who is not here to defend himself or herself-----
Senator David Norris: I am going to finish what I have to say, a Chathaoirligh.
An Cathaoirleach: -----or to make allegations against anyone-----
Senator David Norris: I ask to be allowed to finish what I have to say.
An Cathaoirleach: -----who can be certainly identified. It is not right to do that.
Senator David Norris: It is time for the Green Party to walk from Government. If its members threaten it, the Government will give in.
An Cathaoirleach: I ask the Senator to conclude.
Senator David Norris: Look at the somersaults that have been performed by the Minister for Education and Science. The Green Party members can do it if they make such a threat. This Government is terrified it will be wiped out by the people.
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator is not going to rule this House. He is paying no respect to the Chair and the other Members. He has made his point and I ask him to resume his seat.
Senator David Norris: I will finish my point by saying this. If the Government wants cuts it should look at the €10 million it is handing out to look after the election prospects of junior Ministers-----
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator has made his contribution. He is totally out of order.
Senator David Norris: -----or the €10 million kiss-off to its council electors.
An Cathaoirleach: That is ridiculous. The Senator is totally out of order on the Order of Business.