The Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, has described as "deeply insulting and offensive" the Tánaiste's recent suggestion that families should contribute to the cost of keeping their older relatives in retirement homes.
Mr Rabbitte said at the weekend that Ms Harney was saying that families must take responsibility for their elderly members in order to save taxpayers the expense.
He said this also suggested "that elderly people should not object to being dependent, should not have any expectation of as much independence as they can muster, should not have any right to rely on the broader community for support". At a conference on ageing organised by her party earlier this month, Ms Harney said more needed to be done to encourage families to look after their loved ones, and this endeavour should involve a "carrot and stick" approach.
"I know this seems controversial, but is it fair that people require the State to pick up the bill, and then they get the benefits when people die?" she asked.
Mr Rabbitte told the National Association of Widows on Saturday that Ms Harney's comments ignored "the vast contribution made by many elderly people to the development of the economy of which the Tánaiste is so proud . . . it often seems to me that Oscar Wilde's description of a cynic could easily be adapted slightly to fit the current philosophy of Government - they are willing to charge for everything, and appreciate the value of nothing." Mr Rabbitte said: "I hope that we still believe in Ireland in a concept of the family, where family members of all ages care for one another."
However, a spokeswoman for Ms Harney said last night that Mr Rabbitte had misrepresented her views.
She said families who chose to look after elderly relatives got very little support compared to the families of those in institutional care.
This was an imbalance, and the debate should focus on seeking a fair share for families giving care.