Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

No one wishes to see any social welfare payment scammed, as the Taoiseach puts it. Equally, no one in this House, and certainly no Member of the Government parties, should cast aspersions on welfare recipients by constantly using the term "fraud" when the correct term is "irregular payments", whether the Taoiseach is comfortable with that or not.

Will the comprehensive spending review take account of the Minister's special adviser earning almost €130,000 per year? The rule book was thrown out the window in respect of that appointment. There is largesse for the Minister's adviser and cuts to very meagre social welfare payments. No one in this House is living on the basic social welfare payment of €187 per week. That is reality, from which the Taoiseach seems sadly divorced.

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