Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Its impact has not yet filtered through but when the reality hits pockets, that will be the grenade.

The reduction in child benefit is wrong. Children are unable to determine their own income and cannot organise themselves. Furthermore, not all homes are good. The benefit is a direct payment to children and should have been left intact. These two decisions are the huge issues that must be addressed.

I refer to the important point raised by Senator O'Toole regarding Emerald Star and ask the Leader to arrange a debate on it. It is an important issue for County Cavan and particularly Belturbet, which has suffered a great deal owing to the recent loss of the social welfare office in the town as well as other infrastructure and the closure of shops. I appeal for a debate on Emerald Star and how its restructuring will affect towns such as Belturbet in County Cavan.