James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

This Bill is another example of the Government's rushed legislation presented to the House with the principle of striking while the iron is hot. Legislation to copper fasten the cutbacks in welfare such as that contained in budget 2010 should never have to be debated in a 21st century parliament.

The inequality that results from the Government's heartless cutbacks recalls the era of indoor and outdoor relief and the Poor Laws, which still haunts rural communities today. The UK Beveridge Report of 1942 was a revolutionary step forward in British social policy. It revived the social security system completely such that the British became leaders in Europe and the world in this area with cradle to grave welfare provision. This was to impact on Ireland especially in respect of children's allowance, introduced in 1944, one year ahead of Britain. In other words, in respect of the provision of child welfare we were the leaders of Europe. Where are we some 65 years later? We are at the mercy of a Government that regards child welfare as less important than the sale of alcohol.

Does budget 2010 indicate that the Minister for Finance believes the old chestnut that the children's allowance is only spent on drink and is, therefore, of dubious wisdom? Has the Government decided if money is deducted from social welfare but tax removed from alcohol then the books are balanced? If this is the case it shows how far removed from reality are the Minister for Finance and the other members of the Government, including those from the Green Party.

The Government drove people out of work onto the dole and then it cut dole payments. It has cut widow's pensions, the children's allowance and, above all, the carer's allowance. Shame on the Government.

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