Simon Harris

But the coarseness that we've seen in debate in recent times and the attempt to divide people neatly into different categories doesn't serve us.

We need to pull together.

If you look at how we got through COVID, if you look at how we got through the inflationary crisis, it is by recognising that most people in this country are decent, full of common sense and want to get on with their life.

And we actually need to not demonise each other.

I met him at the council estate, which happened conveniently to be on the Monday.

And I think the comments might have been made over the weekend.

And my conversations with him are private.

But he's obviously outlined that he shouldn't have said what he said.

And obviously the Fine Gael candidate in Dublin Central is Councillor Ray McAdam and he's canvassing on the doors too and absolutely childcare is an important issue.

So I don't mean to fact check, but that's not correct.

I did promise that childcare would get down to 200 euro per child per month.

I think every political party in Dáil Éireann did.

That is a commitment in the programme for government.

And I did say we'd produce a roadmap in terms of reforming childcare within 100 days.

Roadmap took a little bit longer, but there is now a roadmap.

There is a clear plan.

But let's also know this.

I know my own constituency, I know my own life.

The cost of childcare is, of course, an important issue and we are going to.

I reiterate the commitment that I want childcare to be €200 per month per child in the lifetime of this government.