Dail Debate on the Rossport Five

mayo | environment | news report Thursday June 30, 2005 23:20 by M.M.McCarron - OSI

Took place at 4.15pm today.

Eleven Questions asked in the Dail this afternoon. Minister Dempsey was present. Did not respond to a reasonable call for the project to be suspended until all related issues are thrashed out and did not offer to intervene. Does he realise that the law can only work on the State mess that is presented?

The family of Michael Shine of Cloverhill Prison was present in the Dail gallery for this afternoon debate. In all six people listened to the 11 questions tabled. The questions came from a wide party spread.

The Minister appeared in a relaxed mood chatting away to Seamus Brennan as the questions were asked and later texting on his mobile for several minutes or so iit appeared.

He admits he is no expert and relies on what he is told about the relevant matters. He did not answer several of the questions.

He will not interfere in the Court jokingly remarking it would not be safe for him - his job matters! He referred to political scoring where, to this observer,none was present.

Did he see or not see the irony of his general demeanour.? He said a few times that he was in a hurry.

In general he showed little or no concern for the issue and one sensed he would not have shed tears in the Court as everyone, men and women young, and old did yesterday morning.