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

I expect that some Government backbenchers, those in the Labour Party in particular, are hopeful that the deed was done last week in regard to the Social Welfare Bill. They took some flak regarding the Government's attacks on carers and the Labour Party ended up with one man overboard, but ultimately they probably feel they emerged relatively unscathed. The purpose of the motion before us tonight is to remind Members opposite that the issue is not resolved and we will not let it be forgotten. We will not forget the insult given by the hypocrisy of the likes of the Minister, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who went on the airwaves to say it was a choice between cutting the respite care grant and cutting the core carer's allowance payment. He tried to give the impression that Labour Party Members, after tossing and turning and grappling with their conscience, came down on the side, much against their wishes, of cutting the respite care grant. That is a complete and utter lie. Everybody knows this was not the only choice in town.

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