Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy said she would be brief and I will be equally so. We have had long debates on this issue. I will simply not grant an entitlement to child benefit to those who are not habitually resident in the country. It would be extraordinary to do so and I could not countenance it. As the Deputy rightly stated, I made the point that one could not deal with child benefit in isolation. The habitual residency clause applies. I will forward the Deputy the judgments made in this regard, which she can peruse for her own benefit. I simply could not accept the amendment.

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