Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I make the point that I am substituting today for our regular children spokesperson, Senator Catherine Noone, who is detained chairing the very important work of the Oireachtas committee. I am delighted to be able to contribute on this and I would have hoped to have come later in the statements, as I did on the last occasion we were in the other Chamber. I welcome much of the work the Minister has outlined and much of the success she personally and her Department have had in the last two budgets. It is tangible, commendable and a really good and welcome start in the right direction. I will declare my interest, not only as an expectant father, but also as someone whose wife works-----