Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

Like the previous speaker, I regard this as an attack on those who are sick and unable to work. The Minister said it is difficult to quantify how much it will yield and yet the Government is proceeding with it. It is a direct attack on those who, through no fault of their own, are out of work on illness benefit. It is a disgraceful decision and I ask the Minister to give a more comprehensive explanation of the rationale behind it.

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