Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)

I thank FLAC for being here this morning. Social protection legislation is quite complex and technical. I thank FLAC for its work on ensuring end users get the protections they need. I have just two quick queries. The first is on the nature of the presentation on the removal of the entitlement of divorced and separated people. In the first instance one could say that there may well be reasons for separation and divorce and continuation of funding. One can see why it may well not be. The point was made by witnesses about lone parents and maintenance payments that would have been available. Has the Department given any justification as to why this is in the legislation given that it was not requested in the O'Meara report? Ultimately, we will have the Department officials before us here do the witnesses have any view on that, or what has the Department been saying back to them?

My second question is on cohabitation, which is another complex area. There is legislation on property rights and all of that, which is thankfully in place. With regard to the social protection system and the State finances, and I accept that at the stage of bereavement there are emotive concerns at times, there have to be protections to prove cohabitation for two years prior to cohabitation. The witnesses mentioned that the Department will introduce guidelines on that. Has FLAC asked the Department what those guidelines may be at this stage? Would it be beneficial to see those guidelines being drafted as part of this legislation?