Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

I am glad my colleague, Senator Bacik, has also asked for an open debate on the Croke Park agreement. I agree with her that the agreement in its entirety needs to be looked at. Many low-paid people are part of the agreement as well as some who may need a clipping.

Every day, phrases are used in this House and in the Dáil to refer to the poorest and weakest in society and the less well-off. Could the Leader arrange a debate that would identify who the poorest and weakest in society and the less well-off really are? We are about to see a change in the people who will be classified under those headings. We need an open debate on that. That debate should include some of the representative bodies of the less well-off in society.