Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I read the legislative programme and I could not find an appropriate Bill to raise a constituency matter, which is the loss of jobs at Intel in Leixlip. Would it be possible to have a debate in the House and introduce appropriate legislation to discuss the importance of competitiveness for the future of the economy? There are two proposed Bills that are purely cosmetic and do not deal with the fundamental issues.

There is a social welfare Bill, No. 82 on the list, which proposes to introduce a means-tested payment using the habitual residency clause as a means of qualifying. I raised this matter last week. Is the legislation now in operation in accord with EU law?

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