Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Many people were aware of this matter when it was big news for a few days last August. Details of the plight of these families and individuals are easily available. The Tánaiste does not need to know the individual details of each case to give the House an assurance, as a matter of principle, that these people will be assisted before matters are reconciled when the liquidation comes to its conclusion. Many of the people in these circumstances are now depending on assistance provided by the State. I ask the Tánaiste to assure them, and people in general who depend on State assistance, that he will honour the Labour Party's pledge not to cut child benefit in the budget.

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