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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Austerity and youth unemployment

Summary

Senator Norris asks for a debate on economic policy, warning that austerity and unemployment are damaging social cohesion and driving young people abroad.

David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Yes, but I would like to tie it in, if I may, with the need for a visionary prophetic approach-----

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Have you a question for the Leader?

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

I am glad we have such people in this land. Bringing it back to the economy-----

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Paddy Burke An Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

Have you a question for the Leader?

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

Yes. Can we have a debate which will include matters such as those raised by the President of Brazil when addressing President Higgins and sending a message back to the Irish people to say that it was dangerous to engage in nothing but austerity measures, nothing but tax cuts and nothing but humiliating the people and driving them out of work? I very much welcome the concern Her Excellency, the President of Brazil, showed in talking to our President about the fate of young people who are being driven into unemployment, the danger of a lack of social cohesion if this process is allowed to continue unabated and her commitment to deal with the European Union as a whole and not just with the economies of the stronger members. That is a sense of community I appreciate and which former President, Mary McAleese, represented in her wonderful life-enhancing address on television last night.

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