James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister who has a difficult task on her hands. Members on this side of the House appreciate how difficult that task is.

The Labour Party needs to apologise for its failure to stand over a commitment it made. I understand other Labour Party Senators have done so. It was a mistake for the Labour Party to promise something which it ultimately cannot deliver on. I find being lectured by Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil on doing the right thing, matters of conscience, principles and so on difficult. Principles are often easily thrown about in this House.

A blanket cut across the board in child benefit is not fair. I know of some people who can afford to go on a foreign skiing holiday after Christmas having banked their child benefit payments throughout the past year. I also know that some people save the money and use it to cover the cost of sending their children to private schools, private tuition or colleges fees. However, all of us who campaigned during the last geneeral election heard the stories about people who had to choose between meeting their mortgage payments and bringing their sick child to a doctor. I met people whose meal most days comprised potatoes and soup. Child benefit is a core payment for many such individuals. I hope it will be possible to find a better way of administering the payment to ensure it goes to those struggling to make ends meet rather than to those who can afford to save it and spend it at a later date on a skiing holiday to the Alps or the Pyrenees. I look forward to the Minister's response and propose to support the Bill.