David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Neither I nor anyone else in Sinn Féin need inform Labour Party Members with regard to what is bad about the budget. They will be very clearly informed in this regard by their constituents and those who will be affected by this, the second tough, gruelling austerity budget to be introduced by Fine Gael and the Labour Party. No one in Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil or any other party will be obliged to make matters clear to Senator Kelly and his colleagues. That will be done by their families, friends and people from their communities who will point out the savage cuts over which those on the Government side are prepared to stand.

When they were in opposition prior to last year's general election, those in government campaigned against such cuts. They said at that stage that they would not cut child benefit or increase college fees. Now, however, they have gone after those in receipt of the respite care grant and they have introduced cuts in the areas of health and education.