Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I agree with a section of the Fine Gael manifesto. It reads: "In any Republic the people are supposed to be supreme. Judged by that standard Ireland today is a Republic in name only." The Government's budget shows this to be 100% the truth. We can have a genuine republic if we acknowledge that the word "citizens" includes citizens with disabilities, women, the elderly, the sick and the poor. This cut in the allowance for 16-18 year old citizens with disabilities was explained by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who stated that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, targeted these cuts because she believed the young people involved to be "wayward". This rationale was advanced by the Minister last night.

The Taoiseach has only addressed one section of cuts. Other cuts include those to the allowance for 18-22 year old citizens, which will fall by €88 to just €100, and the allowance for those aged 22 to 24 years will decrease to €144.

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