Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I appreciate the Cathaoirleach's indulgence at this late stage on the Order of Business. I have a question for the Leader on the budget but before going further, there is one myth I wish to correct. It has been said consistently since the budget was announced yesterday that pensioners have not been touched. That is a lie. In April the Christmas bonus was abolished. This equates to a 2% reduction in the rate of the State pension. Pensioners were the first vulnerable group victimised and targeted by the Government.

The Taoiseach and his Ministers have made much of the 20% and 15% reductions in their salaries. That is also untrue. They opted for a 10% voluntary reduction; therefore, in real terms, this time the cut is less than 5% and 10%. The difference in take-home pay is what some must exist on, or do not even have. The budget is draconian, unfair and will cause a revolt. Will all Government Members be subject to the impositon of a three-line whip when various instalments of the budget are being voted on in this House? Does the Leader have any sense of embarrassment or shame because of the injustice perpetrated on public service workers, those on social welfare and the unemployed?