David Norris (Independent)

The application of mathematical models to human disability is a rather unattractive trait in government. That is what we are seeing in this instance and I do not like it. I have always believed in the old socialist maxim, from each according to his or her ability to each according to his or her need, but I am not sure that is what the Bill does in any convincing way. The Minister has not provided me with a satisfactory explanation.

Carer's allowance was mentioned by the Minister. The solution is wrong. As I said - I will not repeat myself ad nauseam - the bill for this disaster is being presented to the most vulnerable in this society. That is a shame. For that reason, I will vote against the Bill.

The question of home care services arose on the Order of Business as a result of a very informative and good television programme broadcast last night. However, I have reservations about it such as the use of the visual image of the elderly woman concerned. I am not sure if her permission was obtained or if she was in a position to grant permission, but it was a very powerful image. I raised the matter in the House a year ago. Someone was going into a person's home without a basic rudimentary facility in the English language, not the Irish language. The person in question was supposed to give medication and look after the patient concerned in her home. The explanation was that her brother spoke English and that he could be contacted by telephone. There was no Garda examination. There is a raft of issues involved, but I will not continue ad nauseam because I know we want to conclude this debate.

It is a very serious moment and it is regrettable we are at this stage. I do not believe this is the only solution. I look beyond to a different financial solution altogether. The Minister can nip, pare and prune. I know a little bit about pruning. When one prunes a rose tree, for example, it is important to prune at exactly the right point in the bush, at the right time of the year and at the right level of severity. Those are the three criteria. The Minister and his colleagues can prune all they like but it will not work. This situation is going to explode right in our faces down the line. That, regrettably, is my view of the situation. It would have been better for us to face it now and to warn our colleagues in Europe that they should show real solidarity with us instead of trying to squeeze the unfortunate people on the margins in Ireland to pay the gambling debts of the bankers. That is my view and for that reason I will be voting against the Bill on every opportunity there is to vote. I say this despite the fact I know a lot of people who think it is great to cut back because there are spongers around. This is what people are saying. What we have managed to do now is to disadvantage our community further by splitting it and dividing it. I will end on this note. We have heard a great deal about the national recovery plan. I do not think this country can take any further recovery. Any more recovery as it is used in this sense will kill the country and its communities.