Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

What is the urgency in taking the social welfare Bill this week? Second Stage of the Bill will be taken on Thursday and all Stages will conclude on Friday. Is there a reason this is so? The list published by the Chief Whip referred to the Bill dealing with social welfare increases but obviously that is not the case. Does the urgency have something to do with the fact that, as Deputy Gilmore pointed out, the Government backbenchers appear to be terrified of having another week of this? If that is not the case, is there a particular legislative reason it has to be taken on Thursday and Friday?

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