Norris raises 'Irish Times' judgment

SEANAD REPORT:AN UNSUCCESSFUL attempt was made by David Norris (Ind) to have a discussion on yesterday's "extraordinary" Supreme Court judgment concerning The Irish Times.

Mr Norris said he would not agree to the adjournment of the Seanad to Tuesday next unless he was permitted to have a matter of urgent importance at least recorded in the House. "I am speaking about the extraordinary judgement of the Supreme Court today, where The Irish Times, which was vindicated in terms of the public record, is being forced . . ."

Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan interrupted to say he had not got any notice of a point the Senator wished to raise. Mr Norris said he thought the House should not adjourn before discussing this matter of vital importance. “The major national newspaper, the paper of record, is being required to pay €600,000 damages, in a situation where costs usually follow the event. This must not be allowed by the Supreme Court of our country.” Mr Moylan: “Senator, please. That is totally out of order.” Mr Norris: “I am asking that this House should recognise that this is a very urgent national matter that could cripple the national newspaper of our country.”

When the proposal for the adjournment was put, Mr Norris called a vote. Twenty-five Government members voted to adjourn, while Mr Norris was joined in the Opposition lobby by 11 Fine Gael members and by Independents Rónán Mullen, Joe O’Toole, Shane Ross and Labour’s Ivana Bacik.

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Had the recommendations made by an Oireachtas sub-committee nine years ago been implemented, they could have greatly mitigated the impact of the floods in the midlands, Joe O’Toole (Ind) said. He had nearly fallen off his seat on hearing Seanad leader Donie Cassidy mention the Doherty report. “I thought that of all things, the Leader would not wish to have it discussed.” It included proposals such as raising the storage level of Lough Ree and Lough Allen and to increase the channel capacity at Banagher. Had this been implemented, the Cathaoirleach might not have water on his doorstep this week, said Mr O’Toole.

“Other proposals included the removal of Meelick weir, the diversion of the Suck, the raising of the sluice gates at Athlone and the road levels in Athlone, Clare and Galway, as well as to reduce river levels in October. I could go on and on.”

Mr O’Toole said he had tried on a number of occasions in the past to get the report debated. Flooding of the Shannon occurred periodically, but a solution existed.

Alex White (Lab) said the planning Bill before the House contained a reference in the context of development plans to the risk associated with flooding. The proposed legislation should be re-examined to see if it could be strengthened.