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# 665 days later...
FLASHBACK: Eamon Gilmore says Labour won't cut child benefit
The general election campaign seems like a long time ago now…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE_-Fp7lGSk
(YouTube/IrishLabourParty)
IT’S AN OLDIE – but not necessarily a goodie.
Political history is littered with examples where parties have gone into government on the basis of ambitious and enthusiastic pre-election promises, only to find that the reality of an uneasy marriage with a coalition partner is far more challenging than anticipated.
On February 19, 2011 – with only six days to go until the general election – Eamon Gilmore insisted Labour would not agree to any cuts in child benefit if it was to enter coalition with Fine Gael.
Today, the Minister for Social Protection – Labour’s deputy leader Joan Burton - confirmed cuts in the rates of child benefit – from €140 to €130 per month for the first and second children, and from €148 to €130 for the third child.
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