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SENATOR LORRAINE HIGGINS has come under fire after one of her campaign vans was spotted in a disabled parking space.
The incident took place yesterday in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath when a campaign member was out putting up posters.
Higgins is running for Labour in the Midlands-North-West constituency in this week's European election.
When she was made aware of the incident on Twitter, she said it was "an honest mistake" that "won't happen again".
Tracey Holsgrove, a mother of a daughter with disabilities who lives nearby, said Higgins's words were "ill-chosen" and she criticised her for not apologising outright.
"Imagine how that makes the disabled community feel? Once again a politician rams home the message that they don’t matter," Holsgrove said.
So it was 8 am – so what? People with disabilities are out and about before 8 am, you know! Or are people with disabilities, like my daughter, and those who care for them, like me, supposed to be hidden away in our houses or care homes while the rest of the world goes about its business?
Some people accepted Higgins's response, but others were less forgiving.
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Best not to say how old you are. The government will probably find a way to demand more tax
@Marc Power: Agreed, They want us plebs to work until 70 while they swan off at 50 with numerous pensions and directorships.
@Marc Power: In fairness Marc they do need to know how many extra trolleys to order for our hospitals…………..
@David Huston:
Once again, since about 2011 a government minister cannot receive more than one pension related to the highest position they attained and not until they get to normal retirement age.
Directorships are a matter for a company and not paid for the taxpayer.
Maybe you didn’t know but it seems a lot of commenters throw out statements like yours, a flat out lie, in the hope it cons a few “plebs”
@P.J. Nolan: Enda Kenny’s pension pot would have cost a private sector worker €5.2 million. Excessive by any standards.
@Sean:
Agreed, his pension is related to his salary and that salary was too high.
might reach the 100-and get the cheque from the government.
@TheBluffmaster2: it would probably bounce frame it instead
@Jonathan Power: I’d frame it, Might be worth something in a thousand years all going well……
@Jonathan Power: well I don’t think Michael D will be giving it to me anyway.
While Nanny State says No Smoking! No Drinking! No Gambling! No Drugs! Just DIE as we can’t afford you to live beyond you’re TAXABLE Years.
@B.J.Elmes: No Gambling? No Drinking? What State do you live in?
healthy life years??? tbh there’s nothing healthy about society these days,,, you’ll have 120 year olds addicted to social media etc when the average human age reaches that, IF it does!!!
have your say