Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

One of the most disgusting and reprehensible speeches ever delivered in this institution was made in 1924 by the Cumann na nGaedheal Minister for Industry and Commerce, Patrick McGilligan. In response to an outcry from Labour Party Deputies about the proposal to reduce the old age pension by 10% - the Deputies in question spoke of the hardship, horror and starvation being experienced by families across the nation - he said: "There are certain limited funds at our disposal. People may have to die in this country and may have to die through starvation." That was shocking then and it has a shockingly familiar ring now. It reminds me of the waffle and nonsense to which we have been subjected by Government Deputies in recent days. They have spoken about challenges and difficult choices. They have made their choices and now they are wringing their hands.

Deputy McNamara spoke reprehensibly and patronisingly about those who drive around west Clare for an extra €10 so they can engage in what he described as "the dignity of work". What is his answer? By agreeing to the changes in the PRSI regime, he will put his hands into their pockets to take €5 of the extra €10 they get for doing a week's work. People do not need the platitudes of those who are keen to pat them on the shoulder. They need answers. They need to know why the Government has chosen to elevate the interests of the wealthy and of corporations, rather than attacking such interests. It is as simple as that. We have made comparisons with the likes of Connolly and Larkin, who would be ashamed to think of what has happened to their party. To be honest, it is insulting to such people to mention them in the same sentence as the Labour Party of today, which has become like the Blueshirts it spoke out against in the 1980s.

The Government is talking about protecting core payments while cutting the respite grant. Some people who receive that grant do not get any other payments. This is their core payment - the only thing they get. It has been implied that these people are some sort of a luxury, or are a drain on the economy. The reality is that their efforts, in working to care for their loved ones in their homes, have saved the State a fortune. We have been told that this payment has to be cut to plug the gap in the social welfare fund. The gap in the social welfare fund did not develop because allowances are too high. It resulted from this State's chronic unemployment, which the Government has failed to tackle in any way. Government Deputies have argued that they are having to make difficult choices, but I assure them that the consequences of the actions they are foisting onto the shoulders of ordinary people will be more difficult. The statistics bear out what I am saying. The wealth of the top 10% of the population in this country has increased in the same proportion as the decrease in the wealth of those at the bottom. Corporations are getting away scot free. The Government's failure to tackle this is the direct reason people are in poverty. It will pay a hefty price for that.

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