John Gormley

Mr. Gormley: I have listened with disappointment to the arguments from the Government benches.  I did not have high expectations but I expected a greater understanding of the problems associated with global warming.  I also expected greater sophistication.  Talking about overcoats at this stage is beneath the Minister. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: Today’s discussion is somewhat redundant given the rejection of the constitution by France and the Netherlands.  Already there are some voices saying we must continue with the ratification process, that these countries cannot be allowed to stall progress, including Angela Merkel, who has been elected as the Chancellor of Germany.  It is a pity people are arguing this point because these are the people who rejected the idea of a Europe-wide referendum, a proposition I put to the EU convention.  This would have operated with a double majority - a majority of citizens and a majority of states.  It makes sense.  It made no sense that a member state could have a veto on such an important issue.  However, my proposal was voted down and those same people who voted down that proposal argue that a referendum is a crude instrument and one cannot give such an important decision to people.  Democracy should be at the heart of the European project. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: On 11 October last I asked the Tánaiste why two years on from a promise given by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, random breath testing had not been introduced.  In her reply the Tánaiste said “there are complex reasons for the difficulties in this matter”.  The present Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, added “There are constitutional issues to consider.”  Since then he has told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport that he is committed to the Government’s road safety strategy pledge to introduce random testing by the end of 2006 but insists that the legislation must be legally sound and have all party support. (more…)

   Mr. Gormley: I thank Mr. Justice Murphy and his team for a very thorough report.  The Ferns report engenders both revulsion and deep anger in the reader.  As I read some of these graphic accounts I have to confess I wanted to inflict serious injury on some of the perpetrators of this abuse.  In particular, when one reads the accounts of the activities of Fr. Fortune, one is lost for words.  The only way I can describe this person is evil personified.  One account that stood out for me was that of Colin who said that on the day he was getting married, the priest officiating said that he believed they had a mutual acquaintance, namely, Fr. Fortune.  This is a sign of a really sick mind but it also shows that there was a network of sorts in place. (more…)

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Mr. Gormley: There has been much hype about this case.  A “Panorama” television programme has been broadcast and I understand that a “Spotlight” television programme has been shown five times.  It features a figure looking remarkably like Mr. Garland walking through the streets of Moscow, apparently up to no good.  If we were to believe these reports and other newspaper reports, Mr. Garland stands accused of attempting to undermine the currency of the United States. (more…)

 Mr. Gormley: The Green Party is very happy to be associated with the motion.  Like all parties, the Green Party has very strong ties with the United States.  My colleagues, Deputies Cuffe and Boyle, are American citizens, like many other Irish people.  Many of the Green Party’s researchers, including two researchers in my office, are American citizens.  The Green Party employs excellent and hard-working interns from Massachusetts every year.  My brother, who has been settled with his family in the United States for many years, has told me all about the undocumented Irish in the US. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: I thank the Chair for giving me the opportunity to raise an extremely important health issue.  When I discovered last week that the alcohol products (control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing practices/sales promotions) Bill had disappeared from the list of promised legislation, I raised the issue with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, neither of whom were concerned in the slightest that a major legislative plank of this country’s attempts to deal with alcohol abuse had been abandoned. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: I welcome this opportunity to debate the issue of reform of the United Nations and wish the Minister for Foreign Affairs well in his position as a special envoy of the Secretary General.  The Green Party has always supported the United Nations as the basis of international law.  This is the reason we support the triple lock mechanism and seek to have it enshrined in the Constitution.
  A United Nations mandate, so often dismissed by those who believe it is an impediment, is essential and has served Ireland well.  Those who dismiss it will use the opportunity of the tenth anniversary of events in Srebrenica to attack the United Nations again.  I want the Minister, in his role as special envoy, to be a vocal defender of the United Nations when such people emerge from the woodwork. (more…)

Mr. Gormley: I regret that we are considering on the final day of the session legislation which, while technical in nature and not requiring a great deal debate, demonstrates a lack of foresight.  I have been very critical of the manner in which the Government processes legislation.  We had an example of the Government’s approach when on one day last week, 100 amendments were introduced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as well as amendments to amend the original amendments.  Such chaos is the result of arrogance and complacency by those who believe they can legislate in this manner because they know best.  Unfortunately, there are repercussions in the long run. (more…)