The Taoiseach has said that he appreciates all of the sacrifices the Irish people have made, in an effort to bring this country back on the road to recovery.
Enda Kenny made the comments in the Dáil tonight as politicians debate the social welfare bill.
TDs and Ministers will tonight vote on whether to give the green light to some of the most controversial measures announced in budget 2013 - such as a €10 cut to child benefit and reducing the carers' respite grant by €325.
Members of the opposition said that it is not too late for the Government to reverse these cuts - but Enda Kenny said that it is hypocritical of Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein to criticise such measures: