John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I echo calls for a debate on emigration in order to ensure that those who left our shores in the 1950s and 1960s will be looked after properly by the State. Many of these people worked in England and they sent back remittances to their families in this country. In many cases, they endured difficult circumstances including being paid on the lump, with no social security, being obliged to have their cheques cashed in pubs, the landlords of which took a percentage and worked off that evening's or weekend's drink against the cheques they held. These people were left in poor financial circumstances and it is incumbent on us to look after those who were generous to us in the past and who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I would welcome a debate on this matter.