His comments have received criticism by members of the opposition
A Fine Gael TD is defending Simon Harris's pledge to penalise long-term unemployed people who refuse to engage with services to get them back to work.
The Tánaiste made the comments in his leader's speech at the Fine Gael Ard Fhéis over the weekend, adding that "the dole is a safety net, not a way of life".
His comments have received criticism by members of the opposition, with accusations that he's "punching down" on the long-term unemployed.
Kildare North Fine Gael TD Joe Neville says the measure is to incentivise people to work:
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