Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Why cannot there be a full grant aid scheme? Just before Christmas, the Minister said this could cost citizens in excess of €8,000 but last night he said it would cost €100. I have attended public meetings, including in my constituency, and people just cannot afford to pay this. They see it as discrimination against them and I agree with them completely. Those directives dated back to 1975. Fianna Fáil, in its time, had plenty of time to bring this in. Labour and Fine Gael coalitions, in their time, had time to bring it in but they did not do it. Why should citizens in rural areas be expected to pay for what should be an essential right?

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