Rónán Mullen (Independent)

Senator Norris spoke about other Senators speaking for their parishes. I do not know much about that, but one payment we should all support is child benefit. Last week I met the group Protest Against Child Unfriendly Budget and spoke to Treasa Dovander. I believe most sensible people recognise the folly of attacking child benefit. In 1986 the report of the Commission on Social Welfare clearly pointed out that child benefit was the State's way of recognising children as a public good and society's willingness to transfer resources from households without children to those within which children were being reared. The Government - led by Fianna Fáil I regret to say - attacked-----