Seanad report:The news of the arrests in connection with the alleged procurement of a 14-year-old for sexual activity was very disturbing at any level, "but it is completely disturbing for us here," Joe O'Toole (Ind) said.
He believed that in his 20 years in the House he had never met a draftsperson of a Bill. "But we are aware that many of the Bills are drafted in the Chief State Solicitor's Office and that that's where the litigation advice comes and that's where much of the drafting comes through. I presume that as the advisory body to the AG, they would also decide on, in some situations, whether the State would defend or proceed with cases, as opposed to the DPP.
"I am just absolutely concerned that in some way people who are connected in some way to this investigation or to these arrests would have been influencing decision-making, litigation and the drafting of legislation over the last number of years. This is something I raised here about 15 years ago with regard to the AG's office in another related situation. I don't want to raise a hare. I would just like to be reassured on it. I am not being tabloidy, but I simply believe that this is something that we need to look at" added Mr O'Toole.
House leader Mary O'Rourke said Mr O'Toole had brought up the matter of the 14-year-old, the unfolding information they were getting about it and the vista it would open up if the hints they had received or had read about were true. It was a very serious matter. She was sure that more would unfold in that respect.
David Norris (Ind) said the language used by the Taoiseach when he said that the director of corporate enforcement would have to stand in line for extra staff was extraordinarily cavalier and dismissive, "particularly in a situation where the Taoiseach himself has had to answer questions about business practice, blank cheques and all this kind of stuff, and has had to acknowledge that as an accountant he didn't behave in the way he should have. I think we need to be very careful about the standards of behaviour in terms of business life".
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said he had no doubt that in seeking additional staff, the director would not waste one shilling of public money. His commitment was absolutely unquestionable. "I am disappointed that the Taoiseach said he would have to stand in line."
Mr O'Toole asked Ms O'Rourke to ask Mr Ahern to reconsider what he had said in relation to something which was so crucial to the economy of the country.
Untold damage would be done to this country's international reputation if a major credit union were to fail and depositors lost their money because it was not properly secured by guarantees, Feargal Quinn (Ind) warned.
He was speaking in support of a Private Members Bill introduced by fellow independent Joe O'Toole to provide for a credit union savings protection fund.