Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael)

Senator MacSharry referred to the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice. It produced a very useful piece of information last Christmas. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, to come here to facilitate a question and answer session like we had with some Ministers to discuss the multiple welfare payments made to some homes, the multiple welfare payments plus income made to some homes and the lack of balance where homes do not get the support that they need. There are homes where if a person works it right by working 20 hours per week they will receive family income support, lone parents allowance, a few bob from the partner who has left, wages and every support going. In contrast some people do not have enough to live on. We need to arrange a debate to discuss a welfare plus income cap and give people a decent income to live on.

I want to raise an important matter. Last weekend a family in my town ferried its four children to their first communion using three Hummer vehicles and a glass carriage.