Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

We all recognise that parents will not welcome the fact that they have €16 less in child benefit. However, Members should recognise that this benefit has increased over 300% in a ten-year period. When one considers that for the past year we have had deflation of 6.5% to 7%, the purchasing power of that payment has also increased. To suggest that it is not reasonable to make this cut is not reasonable. My Fine Gael colleagues should look into their own souls on that issue as well as to their record when last in Government.

For people on high incomes to receive child benefit is wrong. We have to get to a stage where it should be means tested or taxed. It is akin to a business person borrowing to pay himself or herself an increase in salary. No sensible business person would do that.

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