Welfare policies are condemned

Mr Toma's MacGiolla has condemned tax and social welfare policies, which he says have claimed thousands from Semperit workers…

Mr Toma's MacGiolla has condemned tax and social welfare policies, which he says have claimed thousands from Semperit workers' redundancy payments, denied them unemployment benefit for nine weeks and cut pay-related benefit.

The Workers' Party councillor asked: "Why does the Government, which has over 600 inspectors following up social welfare fraud, not have similar inspectors following up tax evasion? And why are the huge subscriptions paid by big business to some political parties not taxed in similar manner?

"It is time the present Minister for Social Welfare lived up to his pre-election stance and reversed the social welfare cuts which so savagely attack these and other workers in a most vulnerable position."