Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues, led by Senator O'Toole, who demanded that we receive urgent clarification from the appropriate Minister of the pension issue. A significant number of elderly people are frightened by the declaration that their pensions may be affected. It is important that the Minister for Social Protection come to the House at the earliest opportunity to clarify the position. The Leader's backbench colleagues are saying there should be no attack on the old age pension. We need to hear from the Minister now rather than next November that this is the position. It is wrong that elderly people should suffer months of fear owing to the Minister's statement last week. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to come here as soon as possible.

I concur with my colleagues who have expressed concern about the antics of some of those who marched on Leinster House last week. All of us believe in the right to engage in peaceful protest, even though many of the leaders of last week's so-called protest do not appear to support the concept of peaceful protest in countries such as Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela. They seem to have a very limited view of what democracy and the right to protest are about. If jobs and the economy are the issues, the debate needs to take place in this House, not on the streets. For better or worse, we are the democratically elected representatives of the people. The focus of attention must be on the words and deeds of politicians, not on marches on the street. I smile when I see a group claiming to march behind a right to work banner. The records of some of those involved show that they have never created a job and never will. I wonder how many of them even believe in the concept of work. That is who we are dealing with, in many cases. They are extreme elements who want to take down the Government and the democratic system. We must resist them. I agree with my colleague, Senator Cummins, who has suggested those of us who can identify the people who attacked our staff and gardaí last week should report them and have them brought to justice.