Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

That may be so. However, our amendment No. 5 seeks to provide certainty in this regard by providing a broad definition of poverty which would encompass all of the possibilities. That is why we suggested that a study be done before a charge is introduced.

We stand over the basic principle that a system whereby somebody earning €3,000 per week pays the same charge as somebody earning €300 is very inequitable.