Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Why would he do this? Why would he cut blind persons' and invalidity pensions, as well as carers' pensions? The only exemption forced on him is the old-age pension. I do not understand why a Government would be so socially blind as to include vulnerable persons where the total tax take is so small anyway. The Minister could have got most of what he wanted from the main social welfare headings but he has hit invalidity and blind persons' pensions, along with carers and widows. That is what we mean on this side of the House when we say the Government does not really care about the most vulnerable. Our policy is to protect the vulnerable in our budget cuts.

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