Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has not really grasped the central point made by some of us on this side of the House. His defence for this move to effectively cut maternity benefit does not recognise the contribution and role of women in society as a whole and the economy. When he argues that we have to make fiscal choices, he is implying that there is fiscal rectitude and proper fiscal management, on the one hand, while, on the other, there is a giveaway to women who are having children. He argues that even though we might like to be able to do it, we cannot really afford it and that it is not in the interests of the economy. The point we are making - a point also made by Deputies Peter Mathews and Catherine Murphy - is that women are making a very significant - I would describe it as unparalleled - contribution to the economy in bringing up children. The Minister might consider that many countries in Europe such as Germany, for example, have real problems with an ageing population. That will be an economic problem. Therefore, encouraging, rewarding, incentivising and supporting women who make the choice to have children - in addition to working in other sectors of the economy - is a positive measure which is good for society and the economy as a whole. It is a false argument to set one against the other, as it is not a case of the individual against the rest of society. In fact, these individual women are making a very valuable contribution.

In some ways, the Minister's attitude sums up an ideological view that sees human beings as being in some way a burden on the economy, that the more we have, the more burdensome they become and that we cannot really afford this burden. That is a view which sees things completely the wrong way around. Those who generate wealth and economic activity are these very human beings. The idea that people should not be fully supported and that role should not be fully acknowledged is wrong, even in difficult economic circumstances. This is a mistaken cut which must also be viewed in the round, with the cuts to child benefit and the cuts affecting lone parents. These cuts have all hit women who are having and bringing up children.

At least let us be fully honest when debating alternatives. The Government endlessly repeats that there is no pot of gold. I am not saying there is, although some gold was discovered in County Wicklow recently which we should investigate.

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