Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I appreciate fully that the Chair cannot overrule the provision covering this and that she must deal with provisions as laid down. I agree with Deputy Shortall that this procedure is a significant problem. It is a bit of a nonsense at this stage.

In addressing amendment No. 4, I must observe that the increases in the welfare payments proposed in the Bill will be of little comfort to the recipients of social welfare payments when account is taken of huge hikes in food and energy costs during the past 12 months in particular. Despite the Government's repeated claims to protect the vulnerable, the reality is the opposite.

My amendment No. 6 seeks to abolish the PRSI ceiling. There is not a clearer example of the Government talking out of both sides of its mouth than if we compare and contrast its introduction of the 1% income levy. It affects everybody whose income is above the minimum wage. It should at least have been targeted at those on the average industrial wage to give anybody a fighting chance.

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