Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We did not predict anything that he suggested. At exactly this moment last year, he reversed the budget decision on the disability allowance and DEIS schools. The Minister for Education and Skills apologised for his attack on carers. He has yet to apologise to the students of Ireland but at least he apologised to DEIS schools for his attack and he reversed that measure. A majority in this House want the respite grant cut to be reversed. The Taoiseach can reverse it and even a marginal increase in the universal social charge would enable him to do so. However, he seems determined to continue on and suppress dissent, as is evident in the ramming through of this measure this week with the guillotining of the Social Welfare Bill and, on Friday, other measures. He appears to want to hammer Labour Party backbenchers into submission. Why is he doing this? Is it to protect the highest paid in the land? That is what he has leaked across the board. To protect the highest paid in the land he is prepared to stand over this and he will brook no dissent from Labour Party backbenchers or anyone else.

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