Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

I support amendment No. 2. I acknowledge the country faces serious financial difficulties and I have voted in this House for the household charge and the septic tank charge with a heavy heart. This issue, however, for me is far too much. I realise difficult decisions must be taken and cuts must be made but whom the cuts affect is ultimately a political decision. In Ireland we believe we value children and childhood but the evidence does not suggest this. In my earlier statement, I acknowledged the great strides this Government is making in the interest of children's rights, welfare and protection. If we truly want to make Ireland one of the best countries in the world to be a child, we must apply holistic and joined up thinking, we must child-proof our legislation and our policy decisions.

As a starting position I oppose section 4.