Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo the points made by Senator Zappone. I would be happy to add my name to any all-party motion which would seek to address this issue. We should perhaps invite in agencies like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Samaritans in this regard. Poverty is all around us. It has always been said that the poor will always be with us. The "poor" now includes the majority of people. I see evidence of poverty every evening as I walk home to my apartment. Like other Members, it is an issue with which I deal every weekend in my constituency work.

There is also now a poverty of spirit among people. Many unemployed people who are leaving their homes and spending their days loitering around betting offices and in pubs drinking half pints of stout just to get out from under the feet of their families, are being vilified for doing so. We must also address the poverty of spirit issue.

I commend Senator Zappone on her contribution and believe we should all subscribe to her view.