Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

Yesterday I raised the proposed cuts in the disability allowance both on the Order of Business and during the debate on the budget. I asked the Leader and his colleague, Senator Ivana Bacik, to raise it with the respective Ministers. I am pleased that it appears the Government will row back on this. I watched what the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, said last night in response to my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath. All Members will agree that a cut in the disability allowance, particularly for young adults, is not appropriate or progressive and simply should not happen. I wish to record our complete opposition to it. We are trying to be constructive on this. There are many items in the budget that we can criticise, as we will and are entitled to do, but this is the single most important. I call on the Leader to give me an update on the discussions in Government with regard to reversing the proposed cut for young adults on the disability allowance.