David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On eight separate occasions in this House I have called for a debate on poverty. As Senator Zappone says, we should have a constructive debate on the causes of poverty in the State. I made those calls as someone who sees when doing constituency work the increasing numbers of people living in poverty.

There have been two reports, a study and an analysis of the CSO figures from last year, which show conclusively that poverty levels are increasing. The CSO figures show 25% of the population lives in deprivation, an increase of 50% in two years, proving the last two budgets were the most unequal of the last six. A third of children live in deprivation. Twice as many people - 15% - who are at work are in deprivation compared with 2009. The vulnerable, the unemployed and the low paid are the people who have been hit the hardest.

We also had the Europe-wide study mentioned by Senator Norris of the five states in the European Union most affected by austerity and it showed once again the deep impact austerity measures are having on families. It shows high levels of unemployment across Europe and dangerously high levels of youth unemployment. Children are at greater risk of poverty and social exclusion. This report paints a picture of Europe in a real and deep crisis.

While all of that is happening, and while more tax increases that disproportionately affect lower income families are being introduced, we will discuss today the turning of ¤32 billion of toxic banking debt into sovereign debt.