Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Some time ago, I suggested to the Minister for Finance that he establish a commission on top pay, similar to that which the Miliband brothers are seeking to establish in the United Kingdom. The Minister responded by rubbishing my proposal. He does not want to know where the wealth is in this country and why would he given that his party and Fianna Fáil have for decades represented that wealth in this House?

Unless my valiant colleagues on the Labour Party benches can change the social welfare Bill, this day will remembered as the day the Labour Party cut €10 from child benefit. It will become a day of shame and infamy that will be put up to Labour Party representatives and candidates for decades to come. Today will be remembered in the same way as the case of a certain Sligo alderman in the 1920s and a decision on old age pensions taken decades ago.

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