asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has completed his consideration and preparation of proposals designed to eliminate discrimination against single, married and widowed women; and, if so, the result of such consideration.

: I have already taken the first step in this matter by abolishing from October next the special conditions which applied in the case of single women and widows claiming unemployment assistance. The elimination of all discrimination against women in the social welfare code will, however, involve a considerable volume of administrative planning and legislative change. This must be achieved in a phased and orderly manner and further proposals are still under consideration.

: Would the Minister give us an idea of the expected increase in the live register as a result of the new eligibility of these people?

: Fourteen thousand.

: Has the Minister made any proposals to the Government?

: Deputy Browne was asking me about the provision that is coming in in October. It is anticipated that that will extend the live register by 14,000 or 15,000. The Deputy is now asking about the rest of the process. It is still, as the Deputy probably knows, under discussion in Brussels.

: The Minister has found someone else to blame.

: I am not seeking to blame anybody.

: What is under discussion?

: The terms of the latest directive. There is a new directive coming out in this area which will mainly deal with the question of dependency.

: Is the Minister suggesting that we could not move without the directive from Brussels?

: No. We are taking one important costly step forward this year and that is as far as I am authorised to go at present.

: The question that is under consideration in Brussels is no reason why the Minister and the Government cannot act on their own initiative.

: The Deputy is not quite right. There is another directive in the course of preparation which is under discussion at present and I will have to wait until it is finalised before proceeding any further.

: Why?

: Because I have to confirm with the terms of it.

: Because he has to do what Martin tells him.

: Order, please.

: The impression being created is that the Government cannot use their own initiative to move on this matter because it is under consideration in Brussels.

: I am saying that there is a new directive coming out. That directive will deal with the general question of the dependency. We will have to make considerable changes in our dependency arrangements before proceeding any further. I am saying that I intend to wait until the terms of that directive are finally settled before I proceed any further.

: Irrespective of how long it takes?

: There is no reason why there should be a long delay. I mentioned the matter to the Commissioner for Social Affairs when he was here recently and he intimated that there will not be a long delay. In any event, I do not anticipate being able to take any further action this year.