I would like to draw the attention of Members to a meeting between the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party and the representatives of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on the evening before yesterday. The austerity programme is being run by four men, the economic council of the Government, despite half the country being made up of women. These four men running the country have been closeted, in the main, in this building with very little experience outside the House.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I want the Leader to get the Taoiseach to come to the Chamber, along with the Minister for Finance and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul told us it is spending over €1 million per week providing direct assistance to individuals and families struggling with the cost of food, energy and education. Households with children are the largest group helped by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Reductions in the disposable income of families, due to increased taxation and cuts in child benefit and social welfare payments, means increasing numbers of children are living in poverty. More than 300,000 children are going without the basic necessities of heating, warm clothing and nutritious food because their parents cannot afford it.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I ask Members to remember that the future of our country lies in the hands of our children. Please do not make these cruel cuts to the weakest and most vulnerable people in our society in budget 2014.