Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)

The Minister referred to universal payments, which are available to everybody. I am not sure they cover what we are looking for. He said he will review the impact of the changes. He has given that commitment in this House. Will he also commit to publishing that review? From my perspective, I will submit a case. There are cases that exist. We will submit cases that will be excluded from this and excluded unfairly. It is our intention to forward those cases to the Minister for examination.

I spoke to one woman who was six months pregnant when she was bereaved. I am glad that the Minister has an answer for me on that because she is concerned that she might potentially be excluded in some way, shape or form. We have highlighted to the Minister what we believe - I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt - to be the unintended consequences of this for children. The judgment related to children and the judge did refer specifically to children. My concern is that a category of child will be created that will be excluded. That is not a good thing. I will certainly forward cases to him for examination in which I believe people will be treated unfairly as a result of this. I would appreciate his answer in relation to the woman who was bereaved when she was six months pregnant.

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