Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the opportunity to speak to this important motion. At a time when more and more families are struggling to make ends meet, the job of the Government and legislators is to ensure the most vulnerable in society are protected. The Government has a clear choice in the House tonight. I am sure Members on all sides are used to dealing with people who face serious financial constraints. We are familiar with the hardship and suffering it can cause. We have met mothers and fathers who go without to ensure bills are paid and children are fed. This is Ireland in 2011. It was not supposed to be like this and it does not have to be, as we have options.

I am sure the Cabinet has had time to consider many of the options available to it. It must decide whether to apply blunt cuts which affect everyone. By their very nature, such cuts have a disproportionate effect on those least able to cope. Alternatively, it could apply progressive measures that target those with a little more fat to burn. I do not know how more clearly I can put it. I would have thought Labour Party Deputies, in particular, would be acutely aware of the choice they face. It is a question of the difference between people having one less meal or one less holiday. Should people have to go without adequate home heating or electricity, or without the latest technology update? I implore Government Deputies to recognise the difference. I cannot believe they do not see these problems in their constituencies day in, day out. I trust they represent everyone, not just the section of society that is relatively protected. If they are more interested in the latter group, that would go some way towards explaining the options that seem to be floating about.

The ideological argument that supports cutting the welfare rates that protect the most vulnerable in society, rather than imposing taxes on those who earn more than €100,000 per annum, for example, has been rife in this country in recent years. I suggest it is a matter of relativity. The effect of increased taxes and cuts on the quality of life of individuals or families is relative and proportionate to their ability to pay. This is straightforward. There is an abundance of evidence to show this devastating recession is affecting some people much more severely than others. The figures for indicators such as mental health problems, suicide, alcoholism, depression, stress and anxiety are startling. In that context, it beggars belief the Government seems set to target children. It would be a major indictment of the Government, particularly the Labour Party - the party of Connolly - if it failed to see the inequality, injustice and unfairness of a cut in child benefit.

The Government must appreciate that child benefit is a vital source of income for many families. It contributes to paying for many of the essentials - not luxuries - in a child's life. I refer to food and drink, for example. Many families use it to meet the ever-increasing cost of school books, uniforms and lunches. Depending on the way parents or guardians organise their household budgets, child benefit can help to meet heating and electricity costs, which are essentials for any child.

It is impossible to reflect on the possibility of a scurrilous attack on child benefit without examining the broader question of the Government's less than impressive approach to children and children's rights. Like most people, I welcomed the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Nonetheless, I am horrified to read HSE figures on a monthly or quarterly basis that prove we are continuing to fail the country's children, particularly the most disadvantaged or vulnerable children. We are still waiting for implementation of the recommendations of the Ryan report and the long-promised referendum on children's rights to be held. Every member of the Government must examine the potential devastating effect of their decisions on the lives of ordinary people. We recognise these are difficult times and difficult choices must be made. The Government does have choices all the same. In its pre-budget submission, Sinn Féin outlined alternatives which would protect those most at risk including children. Tonight, every Member has the opportunity to show their position on this.

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