Howlin follows Varadkar comments with repeated call for supplementary budget – pensioners should be first winners from prospective Brexit Deal

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin has repeated his call for pensioners and welfare recipients to be the first beneficiaries of a prospective Brexit deal.

Deputy Howlin made his remarks following the Taoiseach’s assertion that no deal Brexit preparations could be stood down if the House of Commons accepts the deal tomorrow.

Deputy Howlin said: “Pensioners and welfare recpients were denied cost of living increases because of the threat of no deal Brexit. If that issue is taken off the table tomorrow by the House of Commons then the whole social welfare package needs to be revisited.

“The truth is that Fine Gael were able to find money in the Budget to paper over their overspending errors.  It was unfair and remains unfair to let welfare fall behind the rising cost of living. But if no deal Brexit is removed tomorrow then Fine Gael’s threadbare justification for their actions disappear and they should ensure some of the least well off in our society are given a break.

“Fianna Fáil stood over this too.  It will also be up to Micheal Martin to undo this injustice.”