Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Walsh's call for the drafting of a motion calling for the release of Meriam Ibrahim.

This is an appalling abuse of a woman. She is pregnant and about to have a baby, yet she is in this absolute state and sentenced to death just because she wishes to remain with her religious faith. The very least we can do is stand together in solidarity and support people's religious views, whatever they are.

My reason for rising is to say that on 26 June, a week from tomorrow, 9,000 people in one-parent families, comprised largely of women, will more than likely be incentivised to give up their work due to a measure brought forward by the Minister for Social Protection in budget 2012, which I voted for. They will experience a cut of €30, or 16%, in their one-parent family allowance, which is massive. The Senators and I voted for the cut because we were promised it would not come into play until a Scandinavian-style child care model was put in place. However, the new model has not been introduced. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the issue. The Minister is doing her best to become the next leader of the Labour Party and I wish her well. I say to my colleagues, and the Minister, that we must work to ensure this cut does not happen. We must ensure that the 9,000 people in one-parent families, who statistics show are at a high risk of poverty, will not be disadvantaged in this way. The cut should at least be put on hold - it would be better still if it were reversed - until a child care model is put in place to enable these women to stay at work. The cut runs counter to stated Government policy and is appalling.