Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Members know that I am genuine when I say that those on the margins must continue to be protected. They are under more pressure than anyone else. As many Deputies have stated, including the nice people on the Labour benches, there is a new poor, people who never had to face the dole queue or look for assistance but are now doing so. I am glad to hear Deputies from every party discussing people who are under pressure where mortgage payments are concerned. I hope that some sense will prevail regarding a moratorium on repossessions. We cannot throw people out on the street because it will only lead to different problems. Stating this is important.

My good friend from the Border counties, Deputy Seymour Crawford, mentioned jobs, which is also an issue for those of us in Dublin, particularly those of us who represent Dublin South-West. In the Tallaght social welfare office, the unemployment figure has increased by more than 90% in the past year. One need not be on the Opposition benches to be caring and upset about this situation. Some Deputies might smile, but I have been made redundant three times. Maybe some of them will get me again. I know what it was like to go home and tell my family that we were under pressure. In recent weeks, my brother-in-law lost his job, as did my sister, a nice woman in Kilnamanagh who Deputy Rabbitte knows. She has never been unemployed since leaving school, but she lost her job in a reputable firm.

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