Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and Minister of State are putting the livelihoods of many families at risk. There are quite a large number of former political prisoners who have found work as taxi drivers. They have worked without issue for years. They are known to be pillars of their communities, hard-working and honest. They should not have to beg for their jobs.

I am a former political prisoner. Many leading members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the past were former political prisoners when they served in this House. I asked last night whether I am not fit to be a taxi driver. I ask the Minister of State today if Michael Collins, Richard Mulcahy, Joe McGrath, Proinsias De Rossa, Éamon De Valera and Seán Lemass, all former political prisoners, were not fit to drive taxis. The Minister of State has said in the past that this is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality and can be dealt with under spent convictions legislation, but that is bluff and rubbish.

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