Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

In regard to attacks on disadvantaged areas and farm assist, farming will get us out of the recession but the poorest areas have been hit hardest. The IFA's lobbying paid off for the strong Fine Gael farmers. There is nobody on the Labour Party benches. I could call them a name used 50 years ago but we all know what I mean.

I will not speak about disability cuts because, thankfully, they have been reversed. The late Brian Lenihan had that measure in his budget but he dropped it after we spoke to him about it. However, the measure was not shredded and the lazy departmental officials, who are interested in protecting the rich and their own high salaries - I am speaking about those on salaries of €100,000 to €200,000-----

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