Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

In referring to the case of Senator Higgins and Deputy Howlin, Senator Brain Hayes has raised an appropriate and important issue that is relevant to every Oireachtas Member. It impacts on the effectiveness and functioning of parliament. There is a need for a debate, certainly on the financial aspects of the case but also on the broader issues. People are anxious to know what are our views. We have debated this matter at meetings of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and it is evident that we understand the position of Senator Higgins and the esteemed Deputy.

What is important here is the citizen. Up to now, citizens felt comfortable at all times in approaching Members of the Oireachtas and providing information. Oireachtas Members, providing a service to the State, would then be in a position to decide how best to impart that information to the relevant Department. It would have been easy for Senator Higgins to have spoken openly in the Lower House on the relevant issues, but he would have been criticised for doing so at the time. He decided that it was in the best interests of everyone concerned that the information be relayed in a certain manner. The value of a debate now would be that we would be able to help the public understand the fundamental importance of this issue. Many of the newspaper editorials on the issue have taken the side of Senator Higgins and the esteemed Deputy and a debate on it would be helpful to all our positions in the future.