Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

The Government is proposing to spend €681 million on what is clearly an unnecessary and wasteful cut. At the same time, the Government has raised tax on PAYE workers, reneged on its commitment to abolish the means test for carers and reneged on its commitment for a weekly cost-of-living disability payment. The Government has cut all cost-of-living supports in the budget. There is no second tier of child benefit to tackle child poverty or no maximum of €200 per month for child care costs. Very profitable fast-food giants are benefiting at the expense of poor children, carers, persons with disabilities and PAYE workers. Does the Government have the political will and, indeed, the good sense to reverse this decision, stop paying hugely profitable multinational organisations and bring forward a targeted scheme that would support local cafés and restaurants with moderate turnovers?

See this speech in context