Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No, I am not in favour of that. I do not consider a person in receipt of an income of €500 a week a wealthy elderly person. I do not consider a couple in their 70s or 80s who have incomes of €900 a week to be a wealthy elderly couple. Senator Cullinane referred to this matter. The Minister of State accused me of doing a U-turn and adopting a position when it suited me but what about the Minister, Deputy Reilly, when it suits him? Lowering the qualifying income thresholds to €1,400 for a couple and €700 for an individual was a savage attack on the elderly. What is it other than that when there are choices. I was on the troika delegation for Fianna Fáil and there were choices all the way along. We have heard that the Government cannot do this or cannot do that-----