Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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As a Deputy who represents members of the Defence Forces, I am struck by Mr. Rooney’s reference to the reliance of personnel on family income supplement. The Oireachtas needs to reflect on that. If a decision was taken to remove the Border allowance or any other allowance that, in my opinion, forms part of core pay, does Mr. Rooney agree it would be a false economy because responsibility would fall on the Department of Social Protection to make up the difference in providing a reasonable income for a family? I find it unconscionable that members of the Defence Forces, on whom we depend for our safety and security, must rely on family income supplement to survive.