Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Leyden’s amendment to the Order of Business. It is simply unbelievable that we would start to sell off the assets of the State and people.

I compliment the former president, Mary McAleese, on her robust attack on The New York Times. How dare they use a tragedy to sell their newspaper by twisting the story on J1 visas?

Following on from our debate yesterday on councillors, ten minutes ago I had a most distressing telephone call from a councillor, a woman in her 40s who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a single parent and is about to lose €86 a week because of legislation brought in here regarding single parents. She told me she has been in contact with her council and the Department of Social Protection but to no avail. She is absolutely distressed beyond belief. She has no idea of how her income is going to be sorted out as she goes through her cancer treatment. She told me the answer she has been given by some is that she is not an employee. I have legal advice, as I said yesterday, and know the employment status of a councillor.

We will have to examine introducing sick pay and a point of reference for those we elect to the lowest level of political life where they can go to a one-stop shop to get all the information they need regarding their entitlements. We are paying these people less than the minimum wage. It is outrageous to think that the woman in question, with two children, will lose €86 a week and has no idea whether she will be entitled to anything from the council after several months out sick. I have had a daughter who has had cancer and I know the trauma that caused us. I cannot imagine what the woman who was on to me is feeling today. It behoves all of us in this Chamber to do everything we can before we rise next month. I do not want to make this a cheap shot but it was distressing to get a call like that.