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

Contrary to the democratic revolution promised, this is arrogance and cynicism on a breath-taking scale. We are talking about serious legislation such as the property tax and the social welfare Bill before Christmas. We could not even get amendments discussed on the cutting of the respite care grant or child benefit. It was the same with the property tax legislation, with no debate on any exemption. Most recently, we had the debate guillotined on legislation that dealt with cuts to public service pay and pensions. The pensioners were not consulted on the Haddington Road agreement with no one to represent them. Again, the legislation was rammed through the House to cut their pensions without debate.

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