Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

That is a reflection of the €630 million additional funding which is being provided this year. This ensures that everyone is treated equally. Everyone received €10. In normal circumstances, certain groups receive more than others. Widows are treated particularly well, although the professor of English down the back will probably kill me for saying this. This reflects our support for them. We gave them a larger increase last year — €11.60. Invalidity pensioners also received more last year. This is a reflection of our priorities.

Someone used the words "blatantly obvious". I am delighted that things have become blatantly obvious——