Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the vote and words of sympathy for the late Niamh Bhreathnach. I knew her because her uncle and aunt lived in the house where I grew up. She used to visit there on holiday. Believe it or not, her uncle, the late Michael Kennedy, was a Fine Gael councillor in Limerick. My sympathies to her family and husband, as well as the Kennedy family who are her first cousins. They have been very close down through the years. I met some of the family members yesterday and passed on my sympathies. She left behind a great legacy.

I would also like to inform the House of the passing of former councillor, Seán Broderick, who was from Abbeyfeale, County Limerick. He served in Limerick County Council for close to 40 years and I wish to express my sympathies to the Broderick family.

I would like the Minister for Finance to come to the House to discuss the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS, because its staff are not on permanent contracts. They offer great advice. I have sent people in Limerick to MABS, especially those in mortgage arrears, for many years. The service had a 25% cut in funding for the current year. Many staff only found out at the last minute that they have a job for the coming 12 months. It provides a very necessary service and carries out great work. Staff should be given security of tenure.