Marie Moloney (Labour)

Regardless of whether we like it, the debate has strayed into section 4 on this matter. Senator Mooney's amendment states: "a statutory scheme of free comprehensive childcare available to all children shall be put in place". We never mentioned free child care; we stated affordable child care. Child care must be available for all. When child care is put in place, everyone, including those working and on good incomes, can avail of it. Why is Senator Mooney's amendment looking for free child care for everyone? That is what got us into this mess - giving out free services all over the place.