Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

The Ceann Comhairle will be glad to know I am not going to raise the issue of crime this morning. There is so much of it about that I have nearly given up on it, and criminal negligence as well.

I want to raise two issues. One concerns the habitual residency clause that is now being applied by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which is causing severe hardship to the sons and daughters of Irish parents and grandparents who do not qualify for a social welfare payment in the present climate——

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