Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I insist that the Deputy Leader arranges time for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, to come into this House to explain the advice received and the decision taken by the Government to spend more than ¤1 million of taxpayers' money on the children's rights referendum. The Supreme Court judgment, about which Members learned more yesterday, was absolutely scathing in that regard. If the Deputy Leader does not arrange for the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, to come into this House next week, my group and I will oppose each section of each item of business next week because the Government cannot be allowed to get away with this.

Yesterday, unlike any Government representative, I went outside Leinster House to meet people who were losing ¤325 in respite care grants and, in common with many Members, I met Paddy Doyle and a group of people there. However, it was indicated to me yesterday that no Government representatives even went out to meet the protesters. While ¤1 million might not be much to Senator Colm Burke and his Fine Gael colleagues, it would pay for a lot of respite care grants. Consequently, ¤1 million wasted by the Government must be accounted for and, furthermore, I call into question the advice the Attorney General gave to the Government in this regard. I cannot understand how such a glaring mistake was made on the children's rights referendum and I will insist that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Fitzgerald, comes into this House next week. I am putting Senator Bacik on notice that if she does not arrange for this, Fianna Fáil will oppose each session of business next week. The Minister is answerable to this House and she must come in to account for how the Government took this decision. I ask the Deputy Leader to do this and I am sure time can be arranged in this regard.

To return to the issue of the respite care grant, I understand the Social Welfare Bill will be before the Seanad next week. My group, as well as other groupings, I am sure, including Sinn Féin and the Independent Members, will table amendments to it. Members will have an opportunity next week to rectify what it appears as though the Dáil will ram through this week with a massive majority of 56 seats. Members of this House have an opportunity to rectify the issues with the respite care grant, children's benefit and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. Labour Party and Fine Gael Members will have an opportunity to show that the Seanad has relevance and teeth next week. I ask them to take soundings from the people over the weekend, that is, from their neighbours and constituents, about how they view cuts to respite care grants and other choices that could have been made by the Government. There will be an opportunity next week to make amendments to the Social Welfare Bill and to send it back to the Government.

I reiterate that I find it incredible how no Government Senators or Deputies went out to meet the protesters outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday. Perhaps Senator Gilroy did-----