Order of Business - 25th November 2010

Order of Business – 25th November 2010
Senator David Norris: In view of the very difficult economic circumstances it is very interesting to see that 500 to 600 people were in the ballroom of the Shelbourne Hotel yesterday bidding for the Bank of Ireland art collection. That shows there is still money in the country but it is spread around very unevenly. I welcome the fact that the Irish Museum of Modern Art was given the opportunity to choose items to make up any gaps in its collection. I salute the fact that my colleague, Senator O’Toole, signalled that very early on.
We need to look at the people who do not have access to that kind of money. It is a beautiful day but a heavy snowfall is threatened. I was involved with Age Action Ireland in a campaign to try to get aid for elderly people who will be severely hit. There is a danger of hypothermia. I hope that if anyone is listening they will think of their neighbours at this very difficult time.
I agree with my colleagues, including Senator Cummins, who mentioned the situation regarding students and student grants. The Joint Committee on Education and Skills is meeting today on the matter. It has recommended legislation which would tidy up the situation. Let us not play politics with the issue. Let us get the legislation prepared and through the Houses as quickly as we can-----
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames: Hear, hear.
Senator David Norris: -----so students and their families do not always have to go through this anxious time. It hits a lot of people.
At the moment politics is being played in Brussels with the farm grant. Because of a dispute between the Commission and the Parliament grant payments will be further held up. Farmers are threatened. They are getting low prices for their produce. Now there is going to be a delay in receiving their grant payments. Where are they to get the money to support themselves given that the banks are not giving out money? It is a very difficult situation.
We still do not seem to have learned. I got an e-mail yesterday, as did other Members. I spoke to the former Leader of this House, Deputy Mary O’Rourke, who had also received it. It was from a woman in the midlands, a decent professional woman with grown-up sons who are college graduates. She parked in a bay for traders in a supermarket car park. She knew the traders only used it one day a week and it was not that day. She got a ticket and put it on her car and thought she was all right. She was in bed with the flu and the Garda arrived in a van to take her to Mountjoy yesterday. Are we mad or what? What are the priorities in this country? She is a very private person. She asked us to raise the matter but not to give her name as she does not want any publicity.
An Cathaoirleach: A private matter such as that is not relevant to the Order of Business.
Senator David Norris: Could we please get our priorities right? Could we please get values that serve the people of this country? Let us not be completely and utterly daft.