Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When Charles Haughey, as Minister for Finance, brought in the household benefits package, the then Secretary General of the Department, Ken Whitaker, pleaded with him not to bring in free travel and free electricity. Charles Haughey told me this in 2003. He resisted that pleading and it was one of the best decisions ever made by a Minister for Finance. It is regrettable that this Government and this Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, is withdrawing the free telephone service. That service is a major boost to the elderly, especially those living alone. I ask the Government to reverse what is a very mean cut.