SEANAD REPORT:THE CUT in funding for the Equality Authority could be restricted to one-third if the "utterly, utterly stupid" proposed relocation to Roscrea did not go ahead, Deputy Government leader in the House Dan Boyle (Greens) said.
Mr Boyle said he had expressed his unhappiness over the funding reduction decision. He believed that there were unelected influences within the area of Government that were having a disproportionate effect and that there were personal agendas and biases that were informing policy in this area.
Paschal Donohoe (FG) said he was somewhat shocked by what Mr Boyle had said. He had spoken of unelected influences affecting policy making. Mr Donohoe said he did not have to remind Mr Boyle that he was in Government and that the so-called unelected officials reported to Ministers.
The real problem seemed to be the lack of influence of the Green Party in preventing Government decisions which did not meet with their approval.
David Norris (Ind) made an unsuccessful attempt to get a debate on an Independents’ motion condemning “the disgraceful action of the Government in destroying the Combat Poverty Agency and the Equality Authority and the gutting of the Irish Human Rights Commission” and calling on the Government to rescind these decisions. Mr Norris said that every single element concerned with human rights in our society was being eliminated.
He would also question the action of the chairwoman of the authority in relation to the statement that had been issued after the resignation of the chief executive.
“I have never seen such an extraordinary act of treachery.”
Asking Mr Norris to resume his seat, Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan said it was not in order to refer to people who were unable to be in the chamber to defend themselves.
Mr Norris said it was time for the Greens to walk from Government. If the members of that party threatened to do so, the Government would give in on various matters, as had been shown by the somersaults performed by the Minister for Education. “The Government is terrified it will be wiped out by the people.”
Mr Moylan warned Mr Norris that he was not going to be allowed to rule the House. He was totally out of order.
Unemployment in this country would hit 500,000 and there would be riots like those in Greece, Eoghan Harris (Ind) predicted.
“There is a lumpen proletariat, as we see in Limerick and saw in the Love Ulster riots, waiting to jump on any legitimate protest.”