David Norris (Independent)

On the other hand, I am among those, as suggested by Senator Ó Murchú, who would pay tribute to FÁS on the basis of my personal experience. Now is the time, when it is under pressure, to stand up for the foot soldiers in FÁS. I have direct personal experience of them and I am not suggesting that anybody here, including my friend, Senator Ross, has impugned them in any sense. He was very scrupulous about not doing that. At the James Joyce centre, some years ago, for example, we had a series of FÁS and community employment schemes. That was during a period of intense unemployment, up to 80% in my area of the city. Some 27 young people from that area, thanks to FÁS, went on to full-time paid employment. At the moment we have a very distinguished Joycean scholar. I am not sure whether I am allowed to name him. Before the Cathaoirleach intervenes I shall just say that his name is Dr. James Quinn.