Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

On the same issue, it is basic bread money we are talking about. We are not talking about luxuries, or about Deputies being inconvenienced. We are talking about poor people who cannot get the most basic low payment to put bread and sausages on the table, because they will not buy any more than that with it. They are going to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which is running out of money.

Whatever action the Government needs to take in talks with the unions, that part of it should be solved quickly. This is not costing the Government money, it is saving it money. It is not inconveniencing the Government in any way, rather it is in its interest that it would continue from the point of view of saving money. The only people being inconvenienced are the poorest in our society who cannot get the safety net money that would otherwise be available.

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