Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Yes, it is, and my next point is also relevant to today's debate. I can understand a proposal that the Exchequer subsidise trips abroad for the purpose of adoption if that proposal is to be part of the social welfare system, be it wise or unwise bearing in mind the other areas to which the money could be addressed. What I do not understand is a proposal that we should decide the employer is to be liable for such trips plus the expense of a temporary employee. That is not fair or reasonable. It is not a fair incident of employment that it be done at the employer's expense.