Burton wins out in Seanad showdown

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has seen off a rebellious Seanad vote against her budget measures despite opposition from independent senators.

They had laid down demands for Ms Burton and warned they would vote as a group on budget measure cuts, a rejection that could have delayed their introduction by months.

However, the first crucial stage in the Seanad debate on the Social Welfare Bill was passed last night as Labour senators backed Ms Burton’s measures.