'Yous just really don't give a f***': Irish MP berates main parties in parliament

An Irish MP has accused leaders of not "giving a f***" over the nation's social issues in the wake of a government budget devoted to the risks of a no-deal Brexit.

The Fine Gael government’s financial plan was billed by minister Paschal Donohoe as one “developed in the shadow of Brexit” - devoting a €1.2 billion package for no-deal planning.

However, beyond preparing for the UK to crash out of the EU and increasing Ireland’s carbon tax, the government stood accused of offering little change for the country, with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan terming it “a status quo budget from a status quo government".

But others were stronger in their language. Speaking to the chamber after the budget, Independent MP Joan Collins criticised the government and its confidence and supply partners in Fianna Fáil – who she claimed had neglected issues in housing and healthcare.

She said: “Two weeks ago at leader’s questions I raised what I believe is a crisis of poverty in this country, to go alongside the crises in health, and housing and homelessness. Dealing with those three critical areas in an urgent and effective manner should be the litmus test of any government.”

While acknowledging the largely empty chamber, she added: “This budget says loudly ‘crisis? What crisis?’.

“I notice there are very few here from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"You’re not here, you’re not listening, you don’t care and to put it bluntly for the amount of phone calls I’ve had from constituents over the last 24 hours, yous just really don’t give a f*** - and it’s absolutely outrageous that this is happening and people are being subjected to this budget”.

She was later admonished by the chamber’s speaker, retracting the four-letter expletive while saying she was “very angry” after having had people enter her constituency office who are “absolutely on their knees”.

Released on Wednesday, the nation’s budget was heavily devoted to the decisions of its British neighbours and mitigating the risk of a no-deal Brexit.

The Finance Minister said: “I am making approximately €200 million in Brexit expenditure available next year.

“It will be borrowed money. If we do not need it, we will not borrow it. If no deal does not happen, it will not be borrowed for other purposes.”

He added that €650 million would “be made available to support agriculture and tourism and those most affected regions. Of this, €220 million will be deployed immediately in the event of a no-deal.”