Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Fianna Fáil Party leader in the House, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and our finance spokesperson in the other House, Deputy Michael McGrath, on raising proposed cuts in the disability allowance. I also compliment Members who raised the issue at meetings of their respective parliamentary parties. This latter approach is much more effective than resigning on a whim. Public representatives are given the trust of their constituents when they elect them to the Oireachtas to represent a political party. Those who resign are outside looking in rather than inside looking out and are unable to exert influence to change decisions. Members of Fine Gael and the Labour Party, on the other hand, are in a powerful position and can and will influence change. Every budget has difficulties. I was in that-----