John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

When the Minister was on the Opposition benches, she spoke about eliminating poverty by 2016. The elimination of poverty is about increasing welfare payments for the least well off, but it starts with not reducing those payments any further. I listened intently to the Deputy in opposition when she was an advocate for the less well off. I would like her to stand by that now for the sake of those worst affected by the economic downturn who are suffering horrendously on social welfare so at the very least, their income will not be further reduced.

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