Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste might be able to confirm whether a date for the budget has yet been set. Deputy Enright informs me that No. 19 on the legislative list, the Social Welfare Bill, provides for the implementation of budget 2010 increases and to make amendments to the social welfare code in accordance with the legislation to be published. Do I take it that, contrary to some rumours or allegations, the Tánaiste is referring to social welfare increases in accordance with what is printed? She might wish to comment on that.

I thank the Tánaiste for her comments on Tuesday in respect of having the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Scrutiny empowered to examine a small number of directives in the context of the way in which we have transposed those directives into law in Ireland. Do I take it that, following her agreement to this, the committee could proceed in its own time to consider a number of directives with a view to examining the flexibility and the way in which we have transposed them into law, as distinct from losing the impact of what was intended by the directive?

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