Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

It is with great pleasure that I second this motion on behalf of the Labour Party. As Senator McDowell has outlined, this motion has been put down tonight because the decision, announced less than a week ago, that the first-time buyer's grant is to be abolished has proven to be one of the more controversial and contentious of this Government's proposals. The decision is one of a long list of despicable actions, including the cut in medical card eligibility and the capping of rent allowances, which will affect social welfare recipients and those on low wages, and the reintroduction of fees for third level education. I imagine that some of the hidden elements of the Estimates and the proposals to be announced in the forthcoming budget will lead to similar despair. I appeal to the Government to reverse its decision to abolish the first-time buyer's grant, as it is not too late to do so. Perhaps the Government will start to listen to its backbenchers.