Monica Barnes and civil service rules
Senator Norris paid tribute to Monica Barnes and criticised a perceived culture of political correctness among civil servants. The Chair responded that the issue had a political basis, and Norris accepted the clarification.
I refer to the death of a former Deputy, Monica Barnes, who was not a Member of this House. I do not think there will be formal-----
Comment on this
I see; therefore, there will be the possibility of formal statements being made. She was a very old friend and I express my sympathy to her family.
She was a remarkable woman. She was very maternal. She was one of the founders of the National Woman's Council of Ireland, NWCI. She held passionate views which she expressed strongly but she was never nasty. There was not a nasty bone in her body.
Another thing I would like to draw to the attention of the House is the increasing spread of a noxious form of political correctness around the place and employed by civil servants around this House. I sent a letter to a group of my voters. It was returned to me on the advice of the joint services committee, I believe, because the letter had the temerity to mention two words, one of which was "abortion" and the other of which was "referendum". It is bloody ridiculous if, as a public representative, one cannot exercise one's freedom to express one's opinion on these matters, which are a matter of significant current national debate. What kind of little earwigs are there around the place who are trying to stop people from expressing opinions? It is nonsensical. I would like to see something done about it. Is somebody somewhere, apart from myself, going to stand up and say, "Enough is enough". We are elected public representatives. We are elected with the intention of expressing our views publicly and it is not up to some little nitpicker to say one cannot use the words "abortion" or "referendum" in a communication with the electorate. It is absolutely nonsensical. I would like to ask the Leader if he can do something about it. Can he raise the matter and see what the committee is at? Why is it doing these sorts of things? Why is it curtailing freedom of expression for public representatives?
Comment on this
I understand the point you make, but there is a political fortification behind that decision which the civil servants are endeavouring to implement. Maybe the Leader can raise the matter at a higher level. I do not think it is emanating from the civil servants within the House. There is a political foundation for it.