Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the very same issue, as outlined by Deputy Naughten, it is discrimination. The Minister said she was disappointed with our use of the term. It is basic, naked discrimination against large families, especially considering the impact of carbon tax, which we are to have for the next nine years. It was forced through, or voted through, in the Finance Bill. Large families have lots of expenses. If they live in the country, they will have to pay even more carbon tax because they have to travel and there is no public transport. It is unfair. When considered in the context of such a large budget, as Deputy Naughten put it, the payment is very mean. I believe it was Deputy O'Dea who once christened cuts as the 12 mean cuts. What is being done now is mean. As it happens, it is not the first time that larger families, with three, four or more children, have been discriminated against. It is not acceptable. All children have a fundamental human right to equality.

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