David Norris (Independent)

I beg your pardon, a Chathaoirligh, it most definitely is and you know that and are just being roguish. It is relevant to the Order of Business because I put the matter down as one for the Adjournment debate as I was aware of it. It is quite scandalous and it fits in very much with what Senator Brian Hayes said about deficiencies in the electoral register. This was an administrative error. There is probably approximately one year to go before the general election and there is no reason these 742 graduates could not be included on the register. A statutory instrument was used in a parallel case some years ago and I call on the Minister, as I will during the Adjournment debate which I hope will be taken in the next few days, to ensure these 742 graduates are not disenfranchised.

The issue of the special savings investment scheme is a scandal. Most of the wealthiest people in this country do not pay any tax. Even our valued and beloved Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, did not seem to pay much tax on the various gifts he received and yet people who have been encouraged to save will be penalised. At the time this scheme was launched, I heard senior members of Government on radio being questioned by concerned members of the public who asked if they would be pushed over the limit if they saved. They were told that would not happen. Those guarantees were given and they must be honoured. This is a sign of meanness on the part of local authorities. It is quite characteristic. I previously raised a case, which the Cathaoirleach may remember, where a blind student got a grant because he was so brilliant to do a PhD in history and the local authority tried to subtract the value of the grant from his blind pension. How disgusting, mean and cheese paring can we get? We in this House have got to stand up for the rights of the little people.