Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Fianna Fáil Party for allowing me some of its speaking time. This is a difficult and traumatic time to try to negotiate an agreement that will be acceptable to all. Last Saturday I met with retired psychiatric nurses who outlined for me their position and what they feel about what has happened. We can only squeeze so much out of people. As the Minister knows, I respect his position and I appreciate that he is dealing with a poisoned chalice and is trying to do the impossible. However, at the end of the day it is all about fairness. Deputy Moynihan was correct when he stated this is a considered and calm motion, not a motion that picks politically at the Government. The motion has been well thought out and tries to bring about a situation where a mutual agreement can be found that will be acceptable to all.

I have attended many meetings of the 24/7 group, who rightfully feel they have been targeted enough in the past. Retired people also feel they have been targeted enough already. All of these people are struggling daily with their budgets and that is the situation. Take, for example, a young garda who borrowed money for a mortgage during the height of the boom. He now finds himself in an impossible situation where he is paying a mortgage for a house that cost €300,000 or €400,000 but which is worth only €120,000 and he has a young wife and kids. Other people were trying to better themselves. They had been doing well in the public service and they borrowed money on the strength of that.

Nobody can blame anybody for trying to better themselves. I would certainly support every person who ever tried to do that. Having got caught when the investments they made went wrong, they are now relying on their jobs to assist them with their payments. One cannot blame them for being angry when the money from their jobs is being cut.

I agree that a terribly difficult balancing or juggling act has to be performed. That is why I thank Fianna Fáil from the bottom of my heart for bringing this motion before the House. It is right, proper and prudent that this matter is debated in a cool and thoughtful manner. Deputies on all sides of the House should get to make their contributions. We have to try to achieve what needs to be achieved in a fair way that is acceptable to all. I agree with the part of the Fianna Fáil motion that calls on the Government not to rush to "legislate for an across the board 7 per cent cut" in the manner that was suggested in this House by the Taoiseach and two or three Ministers. I do not think it would be right to rush into anything like that. I genuinely do not think it would be fair or proper.

At all times, we have to think of the young families, the middle-aged people and the people who are facing retirement. Last week, I met a deputation of retired psychiatric nurses who made a great case when arguing that they could not bear any further cuts in their pensions. The Government must listen to all of those arguments and take them on board in trying to achieve an agreement that is fair and equitable for all. I thank Fianna Fáil again for proposing this motion. I hope everybody who wants to make a contribution will get an opportunity to do so tonight and tomorrow night. I am grateful to the Minister for being here to listen to our viewpoints. I know he takes his job seriously and earnestly. It would be a mean person who would not stand up here and acknowledge that he is doing his best in difficult circumstances.

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