Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Norris's point that this is about money but we must reflect on the fact that this is taxpayers' money and it is not printed automatically by a money printing machine. Where stands the Irish Republic on this policy in respect of our colleagues across the European Union? Is the situation envisaged by this section the norm, extraordinary, more favourable or less favourable than the norm across the European Union? This is a policy area in which I am not an expert. The Minister can advise me whether this section and her proposals are common policy across the EU and whether they are more or less restrictive. We can sometimes get emotional and get carried away on these matters. I would like to know where we stand by international standards and particularly by EU guidelines. Constituents raise this matter quite frequently. It can cause a degree of difficulty from that great perspective of political correctness but sometimes we have a duty to reflect what constituents speak of. Where do we stand vis-À-vis our European partners?