David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister telling the House that no one is experiencing poverty? Is it almost gone, so that we can forget about it and turn our backs on it? Perhaps the Minister has been spending too much time removed from reality behind the tinted windows of his Mercedes. Who is responsible for dealing with poverty in Ireland? Where does the buck stop?

When it comes to moving long-term recipients of welfare and disability benefits into training and employment under the national employment action plan, I understand that lone parents and those with disabilities do not have access to the activation measures. Does he have any plans to change that?

See this speech in context