Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy's principal point regarding the cohabitation rule. The latter was based, clearly and historically, on a purely financial consideration that took no account of the welfare of all involved in what would constitute a family unit. A child who is involved with both parents — regardless of whether they are married or single — enjoys a better upbringing and will have a better chance to become a more rounded individual. That is not to say that a child who happens to be in a one-parent family cannot achieve all of those things. However, the commonly held view among the various agencies and people to whom I have spoken is that involving fathers — most of these children are raised by their mothers — and allowing them to cohabitate without penalising mothers in the context of the benefits they receive, represents a far better way to proceed. I intend to progress this issue.

The Deputy raised several other points.

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