Order of Business - 29th October 2009

Order of Business - 29th October 2009
Senator David Norris: I hold no brief for Arthur Scargill but the coal board and the Tory Government unilaterally started closing mines and the miners’ strike was in response to that.
I ask the Leader to consider extending the ten minutes allotted for questions on NAMA, subject to there being enough questions. It is not sufficient for such a serious matter as NAMA because it only allows for two questions and replies if they are to be in any way comprehensive. 11 o’clock
Can the Leader give a specific date for the introduction of the civil partnership Bill? Will it be introduced in this House? Is it correct that certain conservative religious interests have hired the services of a public relations firm? A fair amount of misinformation is being spread about such as the claim that photographers will, for the first time, be prosecuted if they do not take photographs of same-sex weddings. That claim is absolute rubbish. It is not in the Bill but has been in equality legislation for years though no photographer has been prosecuted. It is a complete red herring. I ask the people who raise such matters whether they would have the same reservations about mixed-religion weddings or mixed-race weddings. To engage in this disgusting spin is an appalling backward step.
Following Senator Regan’s comments yesterday about the crime statistics, gardaí actually do a pretty good job. Coincidentally, I was in the city centre yesterday, in North Great George’s Street, and a neighbour and city council worker alerted the police to the fact that a stolen computer was being carried through the street, at the same time as a person had a purse snatched. Gardaí were at the scene within a minute and they apprehended the people involved. It was fantastic. I am a voluntary member of the central policing committee and the Garda does a good job. That said, the statistics for certain crimes are rising. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister about this matter. Is it not astonishing that, in this context, there is a proposal to close a major inner city police station, that on Fitzgibbon Street, and move the personnel to Mountjoy Garda station?
Could we hold a debate on that matter in the context of a wider debate on Dublin? I heard a defence of the bus gate this morning——

An Cathaoirleach: I ask the Senator to conclude.

Senator David Norris: I am in the middle of a sentence. We are told there is plenty of car parking for people crossing the city. Will somebody wake up and realise an increasing number of people live in the city? We want gardaí and we want to be able to drive our motor cars as necessary.

Senator Eugene Regan: That was a long sentence.