Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Yesterday, I made the point that these issues are being discussed everywhere, including the Dáil, yet we seem to be silencing ourselves on them. It does not make any sense. Members on both sides of the House have views which they should be allowed articulate. I support the call from Senator Frances Fitzgerald that we need to discuss these issues and open the debate to allow Members say what they have to say. There is no point in people burying themselves in parliamentary party meetings. This is the place where points must be made. Even for the sake of the Government side, surely its Members have views they want to articulate and put on the record.

Serious difficulties are being faced by people. Last week, I called for the exclusion of the minimum wage bracket from the 1% income levy. Despite the fact that Members on the opposite side of the House did not agree with those of us on this side, I am glad at least somebody in the Government heard this call from various people. I welcome this important decision.

I do not believe the figure given yesterday that only 20,000 over-70s will be outside the medical card eligibility net. From checking the figures for retired public servants, without even checking those from the private sector, I am convinced the figure is way above 20,000. It must be remembered on retirement many people receive lump sums, gratuities and interest on those which all add up. The true figures need to be established.

Special educational needs assistants will be cut back. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, welcomed by all sides of this House, will not be implemented and class sizes will increase. These affect ordinary people, whether they are elderly, in the education service or on low wages.