The Cork South West candidate said the Government “tried to buy the election” as she referred to the recent Budget 2025. “We've seen this just in advance of an election where I think, ultimately, the Government tried to buy people's vote. They tried to buy the election by just flashing the cash around. As Social Democrats pledged a payment of €25 more per week in core social welfare payments, Ms Cairns confirmed it would cost €1.8 billion. “We think that how much people get on social welfare, for example, if you’re on a pension, It shouldn't just be at the whim of the minister of the day.

Source: Irish Independent November 15, 2024 11:49 UTC