Chairman:

Before calling Deputy Willie O'Dea, I have a general question. The Minister has set out clearly the new functions that have been transferred to the Department and indicated that 13 staff have also been transferred. She has spoken about employment rights, the Low Pay Commission, legislation relating to the national minimum wage and EU and international functions. She has also mentioned proposed legislation. I am conscious that, on the social protection side, the Department has a budget Bill to draft, with the social welfare and pensions Bill. In all seriousness, in looking at the additional workload arising from the legislative and international and EU elements, is the transfer of 13 staff appropriate to deal with the new work to be done? As the Minister set it out, it seems extensive. The three key pieces of legislation include the Bill that has proceeded through Second Stage, the social welfare Bill and the employment Bill which was referred to by the Minister. Will she give us an idea of the timelines for those pieces of legislation? It would be useful for the committee to know what they are.