SEANAD REPORT:SENATOR DAVID Norris (Ind) said he was raising a matter relating to an individual who had helped to establish the small firms' body, Isme.
A damaging accusation had been made that this person had been involved in fraud involving European Union funds and their drawing down.
Isme had in fact drawn down these invoices but this person, whom he would refer to as "M", had not been involved in the draw down or expenditure of these funds. "This did not prevent his rival on the board making allegations of criminal fraud to the fraud squad." Having been implicated, "M" went on many occasions to the offices of the fraud squad in Harcourt Square to attempt to clear his name," said Mr Norris.
"He mortgaged his house in order to help him restore his reputation as he was left with virtually no income at the time. He suffered a stress-related stroke, which put him out of action for some time. Members of the fraud squad harangued him, made misleading statements to him and denied being in possession of knowledge which it subsequently turned out they did have."
Senator Norris said the ministerial response to concerns about a systematic violation of the human and constitutional rights of an Irish citizen was "a lie".
Regrettably, through cowardice, protection of their own sectional interests, or sheer incompetence, various agencies of the State, including the Garda Fraud Squad and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment could be clearly shown "to have colluded".
It was not true to say that "M" had been granted access to all the relevant records held within the department on the issue, said Mr Norris. "It is a lie."
It was not satisfactory that any Irish citizen should be subjected to this kind of thing.
Because this was such an extraordinary and explosive story, he had made a check with former finance minister Ruairí Quinn.
"He said that what was involved here was a catastrophic denial and violation of an Irish citizen's human rights." Mr Norris told the Minister that matters had not been advanced at all by his pathetic answer. "I hope that the person involved will be able to use what has been said here to raise a storm about this issue."
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Jimmy Devins said he believed the House would appreciate that the department had made a considerable effort to provide the individual with access to all relevant documents in relation to his position and to address the issues raised by him.
"If it is helpful, I am happy to restate now that the department has, over a period of some 20 years, dealt with the individual in a variety of capacities.
European Commissioners may be asked to respond in the Seanad to concerns by Irish voters over the Lisbon Treaty.
Terry Leyden (FF) urged that Commissioners be invited to attend a series of debates which should be held on specific policy issues which had been identified as the main cause of concern for voters in the recent referendum campaign.
Shane Ross (Ind) said a report in The Financial Times had said that tax harmonisation had been put on ice after the Irish referendum. Acting Opposition leader Eugene Regan said there should be a continuous debate in the House to clearly define views on what the Lisbon Treaty involved.