Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support Senator Jim Walsh's plea, although I am not sure it needs much support as he has made a strong case and explained very well the difference between a pastoral visit from the Pope and an official State visit. The point made was that the official state visit was so successful in Britain only last year, we should be able to achieve the same success here. I am sure our parents told us of the success of the Eucharistic Congress in 1932 and the pride there was in Ireland on that occasion. We are approaching another opportunity in that regard.

I support Senator Barrett's case, although I had not quite understood the point he made. I remember ten or 15 years ago the queues that existed trying to get taxis and how impossible it was to get one. At one time there were 2,000 people coming for a convention in Dublin and it was almost cancelled because one person could not get over the fact that when he went out for a meal, he could not get a taxi back to his hotel. At that time it could take three hours to get a taxi. There is little doubt of the success of having an open market for taxis in Dublin. It has provided employment, customer service and the wealth and success referred to by Senator Barrett. I had not realised that steps were being taken to reduce the number of taxis in Dublin on purpose, and I assume that is being done at the behest of the taxi drivers' association. I read yesterday that only those with criminal offences would have their activities limited but I gather from Senator Barrett's comments that there is an ulterior motive.

I urge the Leader to schedule a debate on this so the relevant Minister can explain the objective. I hope Senator Barrett is not correct in what he is saying and that only people with criminal records are being barred from driving taxis. We support that proposal but would not support a reduction of the service to the public and competitiveness of the market.