Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As we speak, my party leader, Brendan Howlin, is launching the Labour Party alternative budget, Building a Shared Prosperity. In that budget the Labour Party sets out its desire to invest in public services, support families and clearly stamp out our ground regarding child care: the provision of child care at a maximum cost of €4.25 per hour for children up to 12 years of age. Our budget also seeks to index link all social welfare payments and to raise wages for working people to a living wage.

That brings me on to my second point. I call on the Leader to request that the Minister for agriculture come to the House for a debate on the horse racing industry. The future of the industry is in crisis. In saying that, I congratulate another Tipperary man - at least, we adopted him - Aidan O'Brien, for training the first three runners home in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last Sunday in Paris. However, the reality is that trainers such as David Wachman, Colm Murphy and other small trainers cannot compete and are leaving the industry.

On the other side of the coin is the reappointment of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, which is totally in breach of public policy. In addition, the Irish Stable Staff Association, headed up by general secretary, Bernard Caldwell, is trying to fight a cause for staff who are expected to work for €9.75 per hour. If they go away to a race meeting, for example, from Tipperary to Ballinrobe, from which they may get home at 1 a.m., they will get €40 extra. This is unsustainable. People are leaving the industry and we need a debate on the issue urgently. I ask the Leader to organise such a debate.

I also raise a flag on behalf of one of the submission groups for the budget, namely, the Irish Wheelchair Association, representatives of which we met last week in this House. I will raise just one issue that struck me very deeply. One of the people who was with us was wheelchair-bound, and in order for her to get a train from Mayo to Dublin, she must inform Iarnród Éireann a week in advance, otherwise she cannot get on or off the train. I ask that in this budget that single issue be addressed on behalf of the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Finally, I support wholeheartedly Senator O'Reilly regarding the restoration of the telephone allowance.