Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Other Members have got licence so I shall comment on the following matter. I hope that the bereavement allowance is not removed. I remind Senator MacSharry that there was no bereavement allowance when his Government left the country dead and buried. We got no bereavement allowance and were financially ruined when his party left Government. There was nothing for us.

It is not often that I agree with Senator Cullinane but I join with him in asking the Leader to extend the debate this evening by an hour or something in order for people to discuss the budget in full. It is important that every Senator gets his or her say on the budget.