Howlin flip-flops on social welfare cuts - Cowen

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has sparked further concerns about a Labour u-turn on protecting welfare rates after he "flip-flopped" on the issue on national airwaves, according to Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Social Protection Barry Cowen. Deputy Cowen pointed out that Minister Howlin on Newstalk Breakfast last week said social welfare rates will be protected "as far as we can". "Minister Howlin's comments have just added to the confusion over Labour's stance on social welfare cuts," Deputy Cowen said, adding that Minister Howlin's choice of words was a get-out clause. "His attempts to back-pedal on this were laughable. His Party Leader has already attempted to appease Labour backbenchers by ruling out social welfare cuts last month. Just a day beforehand, the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton repeatedly refused to state that she remains committed to her Government's pledge to maintain social welfare rates. "Minister Howlin was also asked about the protection of child benefit payments on Newstalk this morning. He said: 'We've made no decisions at all yet….I've asked for everything to be on the table.' This is despite the fact that during the general election campaign the now Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore identified child benefit as a "red line" issue. Labour's "Every Little Hurts" advertising campaign lambasted Fine Gael for their proposed cuts in the child benefit rates" Deputy Cowen said Fine Gael and Labour must realise that flip-flopping on fundamental issues such as welfare rates causes "great distress" to the millions of people affected and undermindes the certainty needed to encourage people to start spending again. "It is time for the Government parties to admit that they made cynical election promises, and to come clean with the public about what is coming down the road," he ended.