Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely understand the point the Deputy is making. I have had this debate in the Seanad a number of times. The best solution I could find was for them to come forward with a proposal on an all-party basis via a Private Member's Bill and I am still waiting for it. If there is all-party agreement on it, I will be happy to take it, but there will have to be all-party agreement and no dissenters. Everyone will have to be on one page.

Class K is currently the PRSI that we, as public representatives, pay. We cannot even get our teeth polished with it and that is the truth. There is no maternity benefit. We get nothing. It was brought in as an austerity measure and never rolled back. Someone will have to decide to do that.

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