Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion and will vote for it. It is correct to draw attention to the absence of a fair chance at equality and a fair start for children. One of the most difficult things we deal with in our case work is when we meet children who live in hotels and the like night after night. It is an incredible disruption in people's lives and it will continue to impact on them in the long run. As such, I support the motion. However, it would be hypocritical of those of us who protested against the policies of the Labour Party in government and the attacks on children it implemented to voice support for the motion while forgetting about everything that happened. It is fair and reasonable to expect there to be a relationship between words and deeds in politics. People find it disgusting that there is not and that when in opposition, people say all the right things whereas in government, they do all the wrong things, unfortunately. It is not a question of having nothing positive to say. I will say some positive things at the end regarding what I think needs to happen.

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