Order of Business 17th February 2009

Order of Business - 17th February 2009

Senator David Norris: I have a suggestion to make, which I would like the Cathaoirleach and the leaders of the groups to take on board. Every day the Order of Business is taken up almost entirely with financial matters and that there are continuous interruptions. This is a very hot debate and there are spats between the Chair and individual Members. Last week the House was suspended on a number of occasions and that time was not allowed for. Innocent Members of the House were caught in friendly fire. I suggest that, as we did in the case of the Iraq war, we should have a rolling debate on the economy. Why not have one hour every day dedicated to the matter? We may not take it all.
An Cathaoirleach: It is quite close to that now.
Senator David Norris: That is not my fault.
An Cathaoirleach: I understand that.
Senator David Norris: The Cathaoirleach could get away from it if he restrained himself a little also and showed some flexibility. This is the time that serious issues are raised. Let us deal with that situation and leave one hour aside because we are discussing it every day while other issues that are of considerable importance to the people are neglected.
I suggest also we should examine the role of the Seanad. We are precluded from having anything serious to do with finance and the economy. We are spancelled and neutered and we are not allowed or trusted to consider these matters. Let us consider the collection — I nearly used a word for which I would be ruled out of order — of people who we put in charge of the finances of the country while we as elected Members of the Oireachtas are not allowed to deal with them.
Senator Quinn raised the question of people out on bail committing serious and heinous offences. One of the reasons for this is that the jails are stuffed, partly with women. These are housewives who have not paid their television licences. When I put down an amendment to get rid of this nonsense it was ruled out of order on the grounds that it might create a charge on the Exchequer. That makes a farce of this House. We should be dealing with it. We should reprimand such people as that fellow from Goodbody Stockbrokers who had the unmitigated gall to call for cutbacks in social welfare. That is what I call the FitzPatrick effect — shamelessness. Mr. FitzPatrick called for removal of the medical card from elderly people while he was fiddling the books, cooking the books of one of the largest banks in the country.
Senator Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.
Senator Michael McCarthy: Hear, hear.
Senator Frances Fitzgerald: Absolutely.
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator has made his point.
Senator David Norris: How dare they? I am fed up listening to corrupt bankers, hedge fund managers, hurlers on the ditch and short sellers of stock pontificating. These are people who never created a single job in their entire bloody lives. Even I created jobs through two companies I managed and I never took a penny out of them. Many others have done likewise. Look at the number of jobs created by Senator Feargal Quinn. Why not let us have a real say in it? Let us talk sense. It is nonsense to suggest those people should be dragged into the committee. It is exactly as Senator Joe O’Toole stated, if I was Mr. Seán FitzPatrick I would be in there unburdening myself. It would be like confession, where one can receive absolution, but one cannot be charged.
An Cathaoirleach: The point is made.
Senator David Norris: Get the buggers into court. That is where we need them.