David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and so am I. I salute Senator Barrett, who in my opinion justifies the existence of the Senate every day. He has rooted out something very important in this regard because it looks as though Members are purporting to use a statutory instrument to overrule a judgment that was sustained by two High Court judgments - given by two distinguished High Court judges - and in an appeal to the Supreme Court. This is not what regulations or orders, which appear to be the alternative to this, are for. This is endorsing restrictive practices. I believe that to be a reasonable description of it and such restrictive practices are noxious. Moreover, they are not welcomed by the taxi group either. I acknowledge that we rocketed from a taxi industry that was far too restrictive to one that perhaps is overly-liberated but this constitutes restrictive practice. I remember when these things were very much in view in the legal profession - they probably still are but it is not quite as bad - and attempts were made to keep people out from the professions of solicitor, barrister and so on. Something significant in this regard has been highlighted by Senator Barrett and were he to call a vote on it, he certainly would have my support.