Social welfare and pensions Bill
Deputy Howlin questions the publication and timing of the social welfare and pensions Bill, criticising the bilateral Government arrangement. The Minister says it will be published shortly and taken next Thursday, with publication this week.
I want to ask about the social welfare and pensions Bill. We were informed today that there is yet another bilateral agreement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the passing of that Bill. Our party spokesperson, Deputy Willie Penrose, sought to engage with the Minister on it. For the information of the other Members of the House who are not part of this arrangement - any pretence now that there is not a formal coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is becoming strained - when will the social welfare Bill be published? Why, as announced today by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael bilaterally, is a threshold of €5,000 for disclosures being applied to social welfare fraud when the threshold for Revenue fraud is €30,000 before disclosures happen?
Comment on this
I understand that Bill will be published shortly and the Business Committee has agreed that it will be taken initially next Thursday.
Comment on this
How can it be taken before we will have seen it?
Comment on this
It is being published this week and will be taken next week.