Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

He hit the nail on the head once or twice. Then he retraced his steps to search for facts to support a previously conceived conclusion, namely, to try to undermine the Government. It is an old tactic, something of a "Cassandra" that is invoked from time to time, but it does not stick to the facts. There have been historical increases in all social welfare payments year after year. It must be frustrating for Members of the Opposition, who would very happily stand over such increases. They stood over minuscule increases when they were in power.

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