Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I want to make a couple of points regarding the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, regarding the Health (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill, and the fact that the charges deducted from the pensions of nursing home patients were illegal. The Tánaiste likes to portray herself as an upright person and her party as a party of principle. She knew when she was putting forward the legisaltion that the money was being taken illegally and taking money illegally is otherwise known as robbery. Therefore, she knowingly tried to legalise robbery. I do not believe she would treat wealthy people in the same way. I do not believe she would retrospectively apply a wealth tax or an income tax. It is a bit like being the bully in the playground.