Mary Lou warns a holy show awaits us

DÁIL SKETCH:TWO CONTRASTING pictures of modern Ireland on First Communion and Confirmation days were presented to the Dáil yesterday.

Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald warned that Government cuts to social welfare payments could lead to poorly clad children attending churches throughout the State on their big day. Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore suggested the money was being spent on high living by some families. Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, who is introducing the cuts, was not in the chamber for Opposition leaders’ questions taken by the Tánaiste. His only companion on the Government benches was Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte. Clearly, there were no Coalition kudos to be handed out. As is the norm these days, the focus was mainly on austerity.

McDonald stressed the requirement for children to be properly dressed for the religious ceremonies. “Regardless of the Tánaiste’s views of Communion, Confirmation, or any other religious milestone in a citizen’s life, a child has to be dressed for the occasion.’’

Gilmore noted that 14,000 payments were made under the scheme last year at a cost of €3.4 million. And he went on to portray Communion and Confirmation days as occasions of excess for some. “The Minister’s view, which I share, is that lavish expenditure has, in some cases, been associated with Communions and Confirmations.’’ He was aware many parishes and schools were anxious to get those costs somewhat under control.

An unimpressed McDonald caused cross-party discomfort when she referred to the “astonishing contrast’’ between the €6 million paid out in TDs’ expenses, some unvouched, and the cutbacks.

This prompted a testy response from some Government backbenchers. Fine Gael’s Noel Coonan said abstentionist Sinn Féin MPs were claiming expenses in Westminster. Party colleague Jerry Buttimer agreed.

McDonald asked if the crusade by the Government, “and more astonishingly the Labour party’’, against people on low incomes would continue. As the largely silent Labour TDs looked glum, Buttimer re-entered the fray.

“What about the £90,000 in sterling a year?’’ The Tánaiste made it clear that a word much used by the Sinn Féin TD was not part of the Government’s fiscal lexicon. “The deputy should not constantly be saying ‘cutbacks’.’’ It was, he said, about using scarce public resources to the best effect.

Given that most political debate now centres on millions and billions, Independent Finian McGrath’s request appeared modest. Justice for the Forgotten, he said, needed €17,000 to keep its Dublin office open. McGrath contrasted the amount required with the €145,000 spent on storing e-voting machines and the €500,000 being paid in rent for empty offices. Gilmore, who seemed relieved by the amount of money involved, said he would investigate the matter. It was one of those rare conciliatory moments in Leinster House.