Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Let us be genuine about the arguments we are making. Senator Buttimer accepted this when he quoted some elements of the Fine Gael policy

We would all prefer to be in a position where we could do what the Government has done successively in recent years, to increase child benefit by 300%. We should keep the matter in perspective; we still support families and parents. I am sorry we have to introduce the cut of €4, but we are protecting those on lower incomes and social welfare.