Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Over the coming days, people will come to terms with the detail of the cuts and taxation measures announced yesterday and today. They will find many unpleasant surprises buried in the detail of the announcements that have been made, including social welfare rate cuts. For example, for pensions with less than an average of 48 weeks' contributions per year - basically anyone who left the workforce for any period of time, including mothers who spent time at home to mind children - will now be deprived of a pension, as was made clear in the statement yesterday. Disgracefully, for widows, the Minister is increasing the number of years' contributions-----

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