Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to voice my opinion and express concern about the implementation of the measures contained in the Bill. I note the absence of many Government representatives from the debate. Are they in hiding? Do they not want to be upfront with the people about the precipice to which the Government has brought us and the reasons it has made the cuts outlined in the Bill?

I want to reflect the reality of life for middle Ireland. I raised in the House only the other day the case of two five year old children who were found scavenging for food on the streets of Kilkenny city in the Minister of State's constituency. I appreciate there might be many other social issues involved-----