Seanad debates
Thursday, 21 November 2002
Book of Estimates, 2003: Statements.
I reiterate what Senator McDowell has said. There is something close to insanity in the diversion of €1.5 million to €2 billion per year into SSIAs and provision for pensions while proper services for old people in our communities cannot be provided. What is the point of using an instrument like that to make provision for 25 years ahead if the major sacrifice is made now? The Labour Party did not propose to raid the fund. The only fund raided was the social insurance fund which was raided by the Minister for Finance. He did not divert money from revenue; he took it from the fund to pretend to balance his books last December when he intended to have a surplus, as we all remember.
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