Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When a person is 96 years of age, I would say that the Government should put a full stop after that file and let that person live with dignity. We have consistently highlighted the fact that difficult choices must be made. In fairness, any cursory look at the budgets brought forward in recent years by the Fine Gael-Labour Government, and it is a Fine Gael-led Government where all the policies are Fine Gael-led, will show that fairness and progression have gone out the window. The living standards of those on lower incomes have been undermined. There is to be no increase in taxation. Those with higher incomes have not made the contribution they could make, yet we are taking the telephone allowance and the bereavement grant from people. It is time to change priorities and that is why this motion calls for the Government to support older people in the context of policies. I know the Government is supporting it but let us be honest. I would like to put much more into that other than Standing Orders did not allow it. I commend the motion but I also ask the Government to review its policies regarding older people.

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