Richard Boyd Barrett TD submits amendments to Dail private members business this evening calling for reversal of budget cuts by this current government and last government
Speaking after the protests by pensioners this afternoon where thousands took to the streets in opposition to the cuts announced by the government last week, Richard Boyd Barrett said the protests by pensioners this afternoon need to continue to escalate pressure on the government to reverse these cuts. The protest organised by the Senior Citizens Parliament called for a reversal to inhumane cuts to the bereavement grant, the telephone allowance and changes to eligibility for medical cards.
The People Before Profit TD has submitted amendments to a Fianna Fail Private Members Business that will be debated in the dail at 7.30pm this evening. The Fianna Fail amendment calls on the government to maintain all public services for older citizens but the amendments submitted by Richard Boyd Barrett calls on the government to reverse previous cuts to the Household Benefits Package and Fuel Allowance and for the full restoration of the full entitlement to the medical card for all pensioners over 65, reversals that could be paid for by progressive taxation on higher incomes instead.
Richard Boyd Barrett said, ” Today’s fantastic protest shows the huge anger that exists over the utterly inhumane nature of these cuts. My office has had calls from pensioners from all over the country who are afraid of what will happen when they can’t afford essential medication.”
“It is vitally important that these protests continue and escalate if the government is to be defeated. The pensioners have led the way but they need to link up with the young people protesting tomorrow about cuts to unemployment benefit, the women protesting on Friday about changes to maternity benefit and the many other groups affected by yet another vicious austerity budget. It is the only way to best these unsustainable attacks on vital services and supports”.