Pre-budget consultation debates
The Leader says the Social Protection Minister has consulted more than 30 organisations on pre-budget submissions, prompting an angry exchange over his description of Senators’ information.
Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh raised the issue of pre-budget debates. We had them last year and we will do our best. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, has met more than 30 organisations which made pre-budget submissions and has discussed them with the relevant people who are dealing with the areas. The Minister does not go second-hand.
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She gets the information from the organisations themselves.
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On a point of order, I ask the Leader to retract that statement which is very disrespectful.
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I will not retract it. The Minister goes to the people herself.
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He is saying that Senators-----
