David Norris (Independent)

I thank Senator Brian Hayes for raising No. 23 on the Order Paper regarding the child abuse victim from Cork. I am pleased that both Fine Gael and Labour Party Members signed the motion but, on the basis of my contacts with Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Members, everybody feels the same way, whether they are at liberty immediately to put their names to the motion. The woman was a victim and she took an important case very courageously. She illustrated a principle in law, which will be helpful. Normally one does not go after people in those circumstances and mulct them in damages or legal costs. This woman has two small children. We hear a great deal about cherishing all the children of the nation equally and it would be awful if a decent woman found her home was sold over her head. I hope the Leader will have something positive to contribute in this regard.

I welcome the fact the European Commission appears to be about to act on roaming phone charges. It is iniquitous that people who answer calls when they are abroad are charged. This is wrong and I hope the Government will follow up on it.

I agree with Senators Brian Hayes and Tuffy that the shooting on the M50 is an appalling business. It is apparent these people were expecting it because they were wearing bullet-proof vests. The driver had just been released from hospital after a previous shooting. The situation is getting like that in Chicago in the 1920s. I remember as a child going to see films such as "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" and the "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" and because they were in black and white and the bloodshed was all cosmetic, we found them great entertainment. Now, Chicago would be a safer place than Dublin. The kind of activity seen in those films has taken root here. I would support whatever measures are necessary to curtail this horrendous activity.

I mentioned the idea of cherishing all children of the nation equally. A phone call came to my office a few days ago from an elderly lady who would not give her name or telephone number because her husband would be upset and ashamed if he knew attention was brought to the matter. This woman wanted the Oireachtas to be aware that people like her and husband who live on very low incomes — all she had was the non-contributory pension — are very glad that the cold weather spell seems to be over because they had such difficulty in keeping themselves warm. We need to realise that elderly people who live on minimal State support are in difficulty. We used to have a fuel supplement or subsidy and I wonder if it still exists.