Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

There have been no cuts in the basic rates of social welfare payments, including pensions. The rates of pensions are the same after this budget as they were before it. It is the first time in more than three years that we have not had cuts in social welfare rates. The Government of which Deputy Ó Cuív was a member introduced cut after cut in basic social welfare rates. Let us understand this very simply and clearly - there have been no cuts in basic social welfare rates.

I know the social welfare code very well.

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