Phil Prendergast (Labour)

Like the other speakers, I want to say that budget 2011 is really an unmitigated disaster for hundreds of thousands of families on low incomes and it fails the fairness test. The public was certainly prepared for harsh measures in this budget but just like every other Lenihan budget, the wealthy are protected by piling the pain on low and middle-income earners and cutting services.

Carers, those with a disability, the blind and the unemployed have been hammered and some of them face being unable to eat or to heat their homes properly. The average income loss for families of the combined tax and social welfare package is estimated at 7% or €43 per week. This is a despicable part of the Bill.