Tom Clonan (Independent)

Unfortunately, we live in an era of moral legalism. It may well be the case that the Attorney General argues that it does not breach the Equal Status Acts, but it is clearly wrong. In a time of moral legalism it has never been more difficult to tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. I put it to the Minister of State that it has never been more important that we draw a distinction between what is right and what is wrong. I heard it very clearly in his answer. An amount of €854 million is not an inconsiderable sum of money, and I know that Paschal Donohoe would say that if he were here. However, that is not the basis on which we should make a decision as to whether something is right or wrong. I do not think that just because something yields revenue to the State it should be an injustice that is perpetrated on families like the Sextons and all our families.

I appreciate the answer, but I would be grateful if the Minister of State could ask the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, to consider righting this wrong.