Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I wish to acknowledge the comments made by Deputies Enright and Shortall. In the first instance, I must state that it is a question of choices. There is no doubt that the welfare to work process is riddled with bottlenecks and these need to be removed. Vision and imagination are required in this regard but, to date, the Government has not demonstrated these qualities in abundance.

The amendment tries to deal with the position vis-À-vis the adequacy of payments. The latter dictates whether families live in poverty or otherwise. Again, it is a matter of choices. The Government should introduce a benchmark and this should relate to what are the relevant economic conditions at any given time.

I am sure my colleagues on this side of the House are aware that some combination of the three parties in opposition may well occupy the Government benches in the medium term. If that eventuality came to pass, we would be tasked with making choices and with implementing provisions similar to those contained in the amendments we are moving. This is not a political game. We are trying to address the increase of poverty in society. We face a significant challenge in that regard, particularly in the aftermath of the economic downturn.

The Minister has not accepted any amendments thus far and there is no indication that she will accept any of those that will be moved later. That is extremely regrettable. Some of us on the Opposition benches may well be called upon to introduce measures based on these amendments in the future. I ask the Minister to reflect on that notion, sooner rather than later.

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