Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

The Tánaiste explained the issue in terms of changing the guidelines when the Government is introducing cutbacks. Increasingly, these payments are availed of not only by individuals and families on social welfare, but also the working poor and families who are finding it difficult to keep the ship afloat. Regardless of the Tánaiste's views of communion, confirmation or any other religious milestone in a citizen's life, a child has to be dressed for the occasion. He referenced those particular payments but the vast bulk of the exceptional payments relate to cookers, washing machines or energy bills that cannot be paid. There is an astonishing contrast between the €6 million in expenses, some of which is unvouched, that Members of the Dáil claim-----

See this speech in context