Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe had the benefit of an opening address by you, a Cheann Comhairle. This was followed by a statement by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in which he said one of the key features of a social crisis with employment in an affluent country like Ireland is that large social welfare provision can be a disincentive to work which is a difficult issue to tackle. It is in the interest of all Members to know if there is a change in policy. There is no doubt whatsoever that the implications of the Minister's statement yesterday constitute a promise to have a change in social welfare policy. The only way this can be achieved is by a supplementary social welfare Bill. It is very helpful if the Minister, Deputy Harney, says there will be no change which I welcome. However, it is of significance to us that the Minister for Finance was only three weeks ago suggesting Ireland had a magnificent social welfare system that protected the poor.

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