Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Government is spending €1.7 billion per annum on child benefit which has increased by nine times the rate of inflation since 1997. I do not question the Deputy's commitment, credentials or convictions and she should not ascribe to me convictions which do me an injustice. In misrepresenting me she weakens her case and argument. That was not the basis on which Deputy Paul McGrath introduced his amendment.

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