Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

They will have an opportunity to manage whatever the State can give them. The Minister for Finance has pointed out that we have one of the most generous and efficient welfare systems in Europe, if not the world. People in other jurisdictions are envious of what we can do with our welfare system. The percentage of income the country spends on welfare shows that successive Governments have tried to protect people and ensure that the most vulnerable in society are catered for and protected. The measures that must be taken are not palatable and no one likes taking these decisions.

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