Order of Business - 25th March 2009

Order of Business - 25th March 2009
Senator David Norris: I find myself in the highly unusual position of disagreeing with my distinguished colleague Senator Joe O’Toole on virtually everything he said. I disagree first on the issue of fees. I have always objected to the phrase “free fees”. It is an ugly phrase and a complete oxymoron. It is nonsense and means nothing. There is no such thing as free fees because someone somewhere is paying. It is inappropriate that the poorest in society, old age pensioners and so on, should have some of their tax money distrained to pay for fees. That is wrong. I have said this to the student leaders and said it publicly in Trinity College. I know saying this will not get votes for me, but I believe in telling what I see to be the truth even though people may not like what I say.
The real battle is elsewhere. It is taking place as we speak between the Department of Finance and the Department of Education and Science. We should be fighting to ensure that moneys brought in by a change in the regime will be ringfenced for third level education. It must not go into the general Exchequer.

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.

Senator David Norris: This must be our fight if we really value education. Another battle to be fought is that for an appropriate means test. We must not disadvantage anybody. It would be shameful to take money from the poor to educate the rich. I know that argument does not appeal to Senator O’Toole, but I feel strongly about it. I have spoken to my friends on the left who have talked about changing the tax regime. That is all right in a utopian world, but in advance of a change in the tax regime, it is nothing other than ideologically driven rubbish to suggest this country can afford not to look after the most vulnerable.
I half disagree with Senator O’Toole on the issue of the inclusion of this House in the general discussions on the economy and the disproportionate weight given to social partnership. He is quite wrong about equality not being discussed here but being discussed in that forum. It is the other way round. I watched in horror as the trade unions stood idly by on the margins as the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty and other agencies were destroyed and obliterated by the Government in this House. I used my Private Members’ time to discuss the issue, but nobody paid any attention, including the media which was issued with my speech and those of others taking part in the debate. The debate took place here, but it was not covered. The trade unions should be ashamed of themselves for not standing up and fighting on that issue.

An Cathaoirleach: Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

Senator David Norris: I am about to put a question through the Chair to the Leader. On television on Friday he stated he facilitates and responds to every single question in this House. That is not accurate and I ask him to reflect upon it. I understand opposition from the Leader has placed the Cathaoirleach in the embarrassing position of having to say continually he must hear contributions from Members that were not allowed on the preceding day. There is a backlog and it is a nonsense and farce. Will the Leader state when the Committee on Procedure and Privileges will meet? I ask him not to oppose, on this occasion, the extension of the Order of Business so Members can be facilitated.

Senator Joe O’Toole: Hear, hear.