The government has shown a complete lack of understanding of family life and a disregard for the role of parenting, particularly mothers, in the recent budget.
That's the message from Independent TD Michael Lowry.
He said the decision to tax maternity benefit is anti-women and anti-family and marks a retrograde step in our society.
The North Tipp Deputy said taxing the payment a mother gets to allow her to spend time bonding and caring for her new born baby is a draconian measure which impacts directly on new mothers.
Additionally , he said, parents have been hit with a double whammy with the crucial child benefit being pared back further.
