'PROTECT MOST VULNERABLE'.

THE Government must protect the most vulnerable in our society from the worst effects of the recession, Mary Robinson claimed yesterday.

The former President made the call as she delivered the oration to mark the 87th anniversary of the death of Michael Collins in Beal na mBlath, Co Cork.

Mrs Robinson, who flew in from the US for the event, said while everyone agrees tough measures are needed in the midst of the economic downturn certain sections of society cannot afford any more hardship.

She added: "Those who can afford most should give most - and, secondly, those at the lowest end of the scale should be protected from the worst effects of the recession.

"We certainly face enormous challenges today - some believe greater than any since the state came into being almost 90 years ago.

"What can be said for certain is that for a country to emerge from a crisis of this magnitude it must have a vision of where it hopes to go and what it sees as its future.

"Undoubtedly sacrifices will have to be made because there is no easy way out of the predicament we find ourselves in."

Mrs Robinson said the gap between the "well-off and the poor" was already too wide in Ireland and there was no doubt the boom years had ended.

The former President conceded to the gathering of around 1,000 people that it was "painful" for Irish people to reduce expectations adding tough times undoubtedly lie ahead.

CAPTION(S):

PLEA Mary Robinson