Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I have been a Member of this House since 2002 and in that period I have produced three publications. I find it very irritating at times as some of the new Senators think nothing was done in this House until they arrived. I produced two documents on a new approach to child care in Ireland. I drove the issue at parliamentary party meetings and my colleagues, Senators Jim Walsh and Darragh O'Brien, know I sought free child care through the parliamentary party process. I support my colleague, Senator O'Brien, in asking the Minister to promise she will not touch it. Education is the key to getting out of poverty. Senators can see how on my website I drove the issue, and I can give Senator van Turnhout a copy of my document.