Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010. I share my colleagues' concern about the manner in which this debate has been handled thus far, regarding the notice given to Oireachtas Members, as well as the urgent need for an informed debate. This is unacceptable and it is important to put on the record my major concerns about what is happening in respect of this debate.

I wish to touch on three aspects of the Bill's contents. These are the civil partnership and certain rights issue; work experience for certain people; and public office holders.

On the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, one can see in its detail where it will also provide for changes to the social welfare code arising from the provisions of the Act. The changes will relate to the definition of "couple" and will also provide for the entitlement for registered or cohabiting civil partners to various benefits and allowances to mirror those already available to married or cohabiting opposite sex couples. It is an important provision which we must recognise. Many people in such situations have contacted Members of the Oireachtas about this issue.

The changes to the social welfare code will affect all same sex cohabiting couples, not just those who opt to register a civil partnership. This is necessary from an equality perspective as the social welfare code already recognises opposite sex cohabiting couples. It is very important that this is recognised and I welcome the fact that during the debate on the Act we took a major step forward in the country to recognise these couples and new families in Irish society. We can go another step further on the issue of equality. There is broad consensus in the House on supporting these measures and protecting the rights of the people concerned.

On persons involved in the work placement programme, one notes that the Bill deals with this and it is described as a skills development and internship programme approved by the Government in November. The Bill provides for the purposes of any enactment or rule of law other than the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Such participants shall be deemed not to be an employee and the Bill also provides that they are disqualified from receiving benefits when participating in certain employment programmes.

This is something which sounds very good in theory. I know from talking to many unemployed people, in particular over the past 12 months, that they are dying to get into some sort of work experience or placement. Many people have come to my clinics who said they would work for nothing in order to get experience. That is very positive and kills the myth that people on welfare will not work. The vast majority of unemployed people on welfare are dying to get into work and become involved in placements. However, I wish to sound a note of caution which has already been raised by a number of Deputies. I am concerned about the protection of workers' rights. We have to be very vigilant in ensuring that some people do not exploit the situation, which is linked to the debate on cheap labour. This is important.

A number of speakers touched on the issue of pensions. I ask everybody, in particular those involved in the investment of pensions, long-term bonds and pension funds, to invest in their own country. I ask people over 60 years of age, many of whom have money on deposit, to go out and spend a few extra euro a week. I understand in the region of €95 billion is on deposit in banks in this country. It is important to raise the issue in a debate on social welfare.

We have heard a debate on regulation and how it failed dismally. It always fascinates me that white collar criminals seem to get away with murder in scamming the system here, whereas people on welfare are hounded for every single euro. It was an absolute disgrace to take money from the blind and the poor while other people got away scot free. Unemployed people and those on welfare want to work.

We should be thinking of creative ideas and not running away from the issue of tax. The two Government parties are fudging the issue, in particular in regard to the budget. They seem to think that if one imposes some forms of tax it will kill employment and development. That is wrong; there is potential for an equitable tax system to develop the economy and bring it up to the same level of taxation as many other European countries.

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