Passenger name record Bill
Deputy Coppinger asks when the passenger name record Bill will be introduced, but uses the exchange to raise concerns about an alleged airport cautioning of an academic over criticism of a Minister. The Chair repeatedly tries to confine her to the legislation, and the Minister says preparatory work is under way in Justice.
I call Deputy Ruth Coppinger. Is the Deputy's question on promised legislation or the programme for Government?
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It is on promised legislation. When will the passenger name record Bill be introduced? Will it take up the issue of a sinister and chilling experience of a US based academic, Catherine Kelly, in an Irish airport last week? She was stopped in the airport by two plain-clothes gardaí, asked her name, if she uses social media and if she had written an article about the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, and her business dealings. A complaint had been made and she was cautioned not to tweet the Minister or any material relevant to her again.
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This question relates to legislation. She was told to sign a statement that she-----
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Obviously, her name was given by an airline to the gardaí. She was told to sign a statement or she would not be allowed proceed to the gate.
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In the blog she merely raised issues-----
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-----about the Minister's dealings in a bankrupt company in 2009.
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If it is a matter of promised legislation, the Minister will answer, but this is not a Second Stage debate.
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This is about promised legislation.
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More censorship.
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A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, can I finish my point?
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I am referring to Deputies on the Fine Gael benches.
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Will the Leas-Cheann Comhairle let me speak?
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I am complying with the regulations that I have to implement to which the Deputy's group is a party.
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I was referring to the comments of the Fine Gael Deputies.
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I will just finish.
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We have heard a lot about social media this week. Is it now Government policy to attack, in this very sinister way, anybody who criticises anyone in the Government on social media-----
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-----in a very legitimate article, which was not abusive, that raised questions about-----
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There are Members who have waited here patiently all day and the Deputy got to speak by virtue of the fact that she is representing her group. There are other Members behind her who want to speak.
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It is a legitimate question.
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I understand preparatory work is being done on the Bill that was mentioned in the Department of Justice and Equality.