Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 12, line 4, to delete "and financial".

The section introduces means testing for the first time in the redress process. As I stated, this is a new, unnecessary and undesirable approach. The representatives of the groups with whom I spoke have been repeatedly assured that means testing will not apply when people are accessing services. I am sure the vast majority of the intended beneficiaries are not well off. If there are a small number among the group who have had good luck and are reasonably affluent, I wish them the best of luck. This provision is unnecessary and should be withdrawn.

See this speech in context