Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Senators have rightly pointed out on this section, the respite care grant is paid in June. It will be paid in June regardless of what we do at whatever level the Government decides but at least if we say "call a halt to this, tóg sos, tóg go bog é" we can ask them to reconsider the cut and its fundamental unfairness. That is all we can do in this Seanad. We cannot write a cheque. We cannot dictate to the Dáil what it would decide on this grant but we can ask its members to think again. That is a fundamental and solemn duty we have, which should not have the consequences, being spread on Twitter and the media today, about TDs and Senators being expelled from political parties. "Think again" is all this Chamber can say. I urge my colleagues to say "think again" to Dáil Éireann on section 5 of the Social Welfare Bill.