Last week the Government agreed to pay every last cent of the private debts of bankers and bondholders. Those debts amount to many billions of euro. At the same time, the Minister for Social Protection so-called, Deputy Burton, issued an instruction that needy families-----

To what legislation is the Deputy referring?

There is legislation in this area and if the Ceann Comhairle allows me to continue, I will refer to it. The Minister for Social Protection so-called, Deputy Burton, issued an instruction to local community welfare officers to stop-----

I will not ask the Deputy again. Will he please put his question about legislation to the Taoiseach?

I am doing so.

We do not want speeches. Other Deputies are waiting.

The Minister issued an instruction to the effect that the payment of grants to needy families in respect of children making their Holy Community or confirmation should be stopped.

The Deputy is not listening. Will he please resume his seat or indicate the legislation that is involved?

Legislation is not required to overturn the decision to which I refer. It can be reversed-----

Will the Deputy please resume his seat?

If legislation is required, then the social welfare and pensions Bill should suffice. The Taoiseach should say that he is going to instruct the Minister to reverse-----

The Taoiseach will not say anything. The Deputy is out of order and I will not ask him to sit down a third time.

-----this absolutely disgraceful decision which relates to needy people who have nothing left when they have paid their bills.

The social welfare and pensions Bill is due later this year.