John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The worry is that when the Taoiseach speaks of income redistribution, everyone knows this means cuts. My request is quite simple, that is, those who need child benefit will not experience cuts. Ark Life Assurance has produced interesting statistics indicating that women working in the home spend an average of 150 hours per week on child care and housework. Were they to be paid the minimum wage of €8.65, they would earn €956 per week. They are receiving a very small income from the child benefit for the work they do. I reiterate the point that if the Taoiseach wishes to speak about redistribution and those with very high incomes, he should make a suggestion on taxing such income.

See this speech in context