Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand what the Deputy is saying. Looking at it strictly, the only benefit the State can confer on people is solely through the taxation system. I understand that point from a very narrow perspective. That point of view may or may not have validity but, looking at it in the broader context of low-income families, the arguments being put forward have to be reviewed in a wider context. For example, the working family payment scheme is very important, especially for people who are at work. If they have one or two children, they get a significant extra enhancement to their weekly income through the working family payment. If those schemes are-----

See this speech in context