Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

To follow on, when the pension levy was introduced the Government saw fit to exempt the lower income groups within the public sector. What has changed? If I allow the Government some latitude, it clearly saw this would have a penal impact on a lower-paid group within the public sector. However, this budget will apply a pay cut to the first euro earned by every person in the public sector, regardless of his or her income. People who earn €21,000 or slightly more are worried because they do not qualify for a medical card. They qualify for nothing from the State. Suddenly, such people have lost between 10% and 12% of their income on foot of the last two measures introduced by the Government. Nothing has been increased in respect of limits or qualifications for benefits such as medical cards or GP-only cards. What has changed? Although a budget should satisfy the twin requirements of being equitable and fair, this budget fails both criteria. Why the change?

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