Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I strongly endorse the sentiments expressed by Senator Leyden in calling for all-party support and activity this weekend and in the coming weeks to ensure the passage of the children's referendum. We are all obliged to ensure that we enshrine in our Constitution the protection and safety of our children. Some 1,500 children are confirmed every year as having been abused and in need of protection. We want to ensure the awful mistakes of the past are never repeated. The fact that the referendum is being held on a Saturday, as Senator Leyden said, presents an opportunity for everybody to come out and show their support. The fact that all parties are supporting it may lead to some complacency among the electorate and possibly the media is not giving the referendum the coverage it would get if groupings were opposing it. For that reason, we, as public representatives, all need to use some shoe leather in the next few weeks to ensure that we get the message across and encourage young people and students, who are away from home and may be coming home for the weekend, to cast their votes. The fact that the hours of voting have been reduced somewhat should not in any way deter from people's opportunity to cast their votes. It is not a working day for many people and hopefully the turnout will be high.

I support Senator Harte's call for a discussion on the Ombudsman's report on the mobility allowance scheme. This scheme is means tested and the allowance is only given to people who are really in need of it, those who are vulnerable and need the transport. Whatever we have to do to ensure this scheme is extended to people over the age of 66 must be done. We have to examine where savings can be made elsewhere in the HSE budget. Those concerned are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community. It reflects very poorly on the State that we have an upper age limit of 66 which is now illegal under the Equal Status Act and we must rectify that in the interest of the people concerned, but also to restore the good name of the nation.