Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)

I support the amendment proposed by Deputy Ellis to allow people who were imprisoned as a result of the conflict in this country to work in the area of road transportation and taxi services. At matters stand, Deputy Ellis, who was elected by the people of Finglas, and I, who was elected by the people of Kerry North-West Limerick, would not be able to get a taxi licence because we are former political prisoners. It is amazing that more than 9,000 people could vote for me yet I would not get a licence. If the same criterion applied to Deputy Durkan he would be unable to get a licence because he is also a former political prisoner, albeit in 1966.

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