Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Committee on Education and Social Protection: Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection

Social Welfare Bill 2015: Committee Stage

1:00 pm

Photo of Ray ButlerRay Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. We all know that this is a start, that there is a long road ahead and that we have come a long way. Certain members said that when the crash occurred, it would cost only €6 billion to recapitalise the banks. Chemical Ali went out onto the plinth and said the troika and the IMF were not in town. Others wanted to run the country on the pension reserve fund. They said it was worth €15 billion when, in reality, there was only €5 billion or €6 billion in it. I have to agree that if we had been left in the hands of the people concerned, we would all be having bread and milk, if we were lucky. I understand people are not dancing in the street, but I have noted when knocking on doors that the people welcome the increases in the pension payment and Christmas bonus and the reinstatement of some of the payments that were cut. It is a start and we have come a long way. I agree that people are not dancing in the street, but they see what the Government has done in managing the economy in the past four years. They will not be fooled when it comes to the general election. We see this in the opinion polls. I talk to people and know what is happening on the ground.

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