Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is right and proper for us, as Members of the Seanad, to stand up for the most vulnerable and the most courageous section of our society. To suggest that in some way that is hyperbole is difficult to accept and very disappointing because it is evident that that is used as an evasion in this debate.

I was very taken by the contributions of the Independent Senators. In many ways they have brought a new freshness to this Chamber because it cannot be easy for them, having been given the gift of a seat by the Taoiseach, to be prepared to put the head above the parapet and, with their particular expertise and experience, to come in here and provide leadership, which is what they are doing now on the floor of the Chamber.

Prior to the budget I had stated in the House that I hoped it would be a fair budget by making those who had the most pay the most. That has not happened in this case. The very people who are not capable of making a sacrifice because they do not have the wherewithal to do it are being asked to make a sacrifice. Senator John Crown is 100% correct, and I do not accept the argument about increasing income tax affecting employment. The same applies to VAT and to any other charge. What would be wrong with putting an extra 1% or 2% on every one of us in this House who could well afford to pay it and on many other people outside it? If we did that we would not have to argue here about a saving of ¤26 million which will affect the most vulnerable people in society.

I watched Miriam O'Callaghan on an RTE programme last night. It would bring tears to one's eyes to see a mother on her own looking after a 15 year old girl who could not talk, walk or look after herself. In the name of the heavens, why would we throw about accusations and recriminations of partisanship and politics when we are dealing with human issues? We are dealing with humanity. I would still hope that not one or two of the Government Senators but perhaps all the Senators will say that they will do the right thing for once-----