Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

Anything the Deputy says is well grounded. She is from a neighbouring constituency and one is always careful of such things. The Minister, Deputy Hanafin, indicated that if there was a chance of giving this Christmas bonus, she would grasp the opportunity and encourage the Minister for Finance to do so as well. That is more or less what she said but perhaps I have encapsulated her comments incorrectly.

I add my voice to this and will continue to do so. As the months go by and Christmas approaches, we hope there will be some avenue which could be further explored for the partial or whole payment of this Christmas bonus. Be that as it may, the position is very serious in Irish economic life and it behoves us all to approach it in a serious fashion and ensure that the money so garnered for the social welfare budget - it is up 20% in less than one year - will continue to be used usefully and well.

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