Ivana Bacik

Order of Business

Senator Ivana Bacik: I thank colleagues for their good wishes expressed yesterday and today on the election. I believe I speak for all Members who ran for election when I state it was a very positive experience. It was important to hear people’s concerns directly expressed on doorsteps and the anger at the current Government is palpable.One concern to emerge from the election pertains to disenfranchisement and Senators McFadden and McCarthy have referred to this issue. However, various issues were brought to my attention regarding voters who were denied the right to vote in particular elections despite being legally entitled to so do. Returning officers in different polling stations were not aware of relevant electoral law and so on and this is a serious issue that requires further review.

I certainly will raise it again. I echo comments made by colleagues on the Ryan report and the need for further debate on it. It was an issue on which many people expressed their views strongly and in very emotional terms. It was a real issue underlying the elections. Moreover, issues arise from the Ryan report which is not a report about history. In response to Senator Mullen, Deputy Ruairı´ Quinn was quite correct to look at the issue of education more broadly because it would be irresponsible of Members not to consider the broader context in which the Ryan report’s findings and recommendations are made.

Members should consider who controls our schools. At present, both national and secondary schools are still controlled predominately by the churches and by the Catholic church in particular and there is no issue in this regard. Survivors of abuse, with whom I wish to express solidarity on their march today, may be highly dismayed to see reports in today’s newspapers to the effect that the De La Salle Brothers have just launched an investment fund in Dublin. Christian Brothers Investment Services Inc. is a New York-based investment company that also is setting up in Ireland. There are real questions to be asked on whether it is appropriate for religious orders that have escaped their fair share of liability and that have been indemnified by the State to launch an investment fund for themselves or for their supporters in Dublin.

I express my sympathy to the families of the three Trinity graduates who died tragically in the recent aeroplane crash. As Members debate the Aviation (Preclearance) Bill, all think of airline safety and must think of the families and friends of those Trinity graduates.

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