INDEPENDENT TD BARRY Heneghan voted against the government on a motion concerning an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities yesterday. The Dublin Bay North TD is one of the independent politicians who formed the coalition government after the last election. The motion brought forward by the Social Democrats yesterday sought to provide a €400 support payment for people with disabilities to be paid within a month. Heneghan, who won his Dáil seat on a platform that included supporting people with disabilities, voted against the government’s amendment to the motion. Eoin Hayes, who is the Social Democrats’ spokesperson on social protection issues, said the payment would “help disabled people get through the difficult winter months”.