David Norris (Independent)

Everything is relevant. It is all a matter of degree. That is why the Cathaoirleach is so wisely tolerant of me. There are now two Ministers of State present in the House and we hope that some of these protests will make their way back to Government, even if it requires a certain elegance of construction to make them appear relevant.

I would like to take up the question of fuel allowances, which may not be directly contemplated in the Bill. Somebody mentioned the fact of people needing to keep warm, particularly elderly people. Although this may not be directly contemplated by the Bill, it is appropriate at this time of the year that the Government bear it in mind. I heard a case on the radio of a person who had gone marginally over the income limit, perhaps as the result of having a special savings incentive account, SSIA, and was cut off from the free fuel supply. This man and his wife have cancer and the form of her cancer leads to a coldness of the extremities bordering on hypothermia. They are vulnerable people. This comes under the heading of energy in a broad sense. In a country which has sufficient funds, cases such as this should be dealt with in the most flexible possible way. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his lenience and tolerance.