Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all notice today a sense of calm before the storm of tomorrow's budget. I do not believe it is a question of calm because hundreds of thousands of people are frozen by fear and hopelessness. They have no idea what they can do for the future. The more I listen to discussions on radio, as I did on my way to the House, the more I hear people saying they do not even have the will to get out of bed in the morning. We hear of people going to bed at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. because they have no heating in the house. Parents are sickened at the sight of their children not having sufficient food. As Senator Norris correctly said, it is a reflection of what we went through in the 1950s and not just the 1800s. There is no point in us making suggestions regarding the budget but I have one hope, which is the Government will live up to its promise that those who can pay the most will do so. In addition, those who have no money should not be pursued, coerced and terrified by the fact that they cannot pay a household charge or whatever other charge may come down the line. They have enough to suffer about without doing that. I get the feeling at times coming from official circles that they will be pursued and that cannot be justified under any circumstance.

I am disappointed at the manner in which the abortion campaign has been dealt with up to now. At the beginning, I suggested that the issue was important enough for us all, whatever views we hold, to deal with it in a proper manner by analysing and assessing the options and giving that time. This has not happened because it is clear there is huge confusion.

This was borne out in the recent opinion poll. I was listening to late night radio while I was travelling last Saturday night and a speaker referred to one figure from the recent poll. The figure fitted a particular agenda. It was 24 hours later before the second figure, which is contradictory of the earlier figure, was brought into the public domain. That is not the way for a public broadcasting service or anybody who is genuine about this case to behave. The psychological and mental health issue is important. Let us inform ourselves about it. I am delighted that Dr. Patricia Casey and Paul Brady will be in the AV room today to discuss the mental health aspect of this issue. Members who have time and an interest in it should, as legislators, go to the AV room 4.30 p.m. to inform themselves.