Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

-----dem Bundestag. Chuir mé ceist an bhfuil aon scéal aige ón Bundestag because that is where the decisions are being taken.

I want to deal with another issue. The issue of VAT is one which will destroy small and medium businesses but the big issue that has emerged in recent days is to do with the Government's commitment to maintain social welfare rates. Labour was crystal clear about that, particularly on the issue of child benefit. The Tánaiste said the issue of child benefit was a red line issue for the Labour Party. Will that be reflected in the budget? Will the Taoiseach make it clear that there will be no cuts to child benefit on 6 December? In case the Taoiseach says he has not made decisions on that, he is able to make it clear on other matters, for example, that there will be no increase in direct taxes. There are also suggestions that lone parents allowance will be stopped when a child reaches the age of seven? Why seven? Does a child not need to be fed, clothed or looked after in terms of going to school after the age of seven? In our view child benefit should be a universal payment and the simplest way to do that is to give every child the same payment and introduce a third rate of income tax for those earning over €100,000 a year. The Taoiseach said in his remarks earlier that these are deliberate choices. About that I agree with him. These are deliberate choices. Will he choose, make it clear here and give a clear commitment that there will be no cuts to child benefit in this budget?

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