Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the specific issue the Senator raised, it is no secret that Labour wanted to impose higher taxes on higher earners. That was clear from our manifesto. We were not elected into a majority or single-party government. It is a coalition Government and this budget is, of necessity, a compromise. Many of us are most unhappy with the cuts to the respite care allowance and the cuts to child benefit. Again, that is no secret. However, we recognise the incredible difficulty in which we find ourselves as a result of the mismanagement of the economy by the Fianna Fáil-led Government over many years. All of us, including the Senators opposite, should welcome the comments about the promissory note the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, made over the weekend. Something that will really stick in people's throats in March-----