Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also want to wish Tom McGrath a very happy retirement. Like other speakers, I thank him and all the ushers for their professionalism in the House.

I want to support Senator White's comments about the regrettable cuts that have been implemented in the budget. The cut she mentioned is certainly not welcome. Perhaps we need to have a wider debate on this issue. At a time when we are trying to get more women involved in politics, boards, legal services and commercial life generally, more support needs to be provided to women, who obviously give birth to children. I think we could have a useful debate in this House on the balance between work and life and on the role of women. If women are to be expected to play a fuller part in working life, and particularly in politics, these issues should be discussed in this House. I would welcome such a debate in the near future.