Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support what Senator Darragh O'Brien said about the rape crisis centres. I have no ulterior motive for it. It is a scandal. However, there is a bigger scandal.

Yesterday, Senator Darragh O'Brien attempted to move an amendment to the Order of Business on No. 67, motion 17 which deals with the one-parent family payment. Last night I watched Vincent Browne's show, during which he mentioned that out of 120 Government Deputies and Senators, not one was available to come on the programme to defend this scurrilous cut. I call on the Leader to be brave and organise a debate in the House before this change comes in. Let us discuss the exact implications for the lone parents. We hear a lot of old bleeding-heart stuff here about our concern for children and for the poverty-stricken in this country. I would love somebody on the Government side to have the courage to stand up here and explain how this will benefit the poverty-stricken of this country.

Tomorrow I will move the same amendment to the Order of Business as Senator Darragh O'Brien did and I ask the Government to respond with courage this time. If they are not able to face Vincent Browne, they should try facing the Opposition on it.