Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I refer to the issue of section 13(2) in the Bill. I welcome the strengthening of powers for social welfare inspectors who participate in multi-agency checkpoints. As a representative of two Border counties, I have seen too much participation in the black economy by people outside our jurisdiction over the years. I have seen too many genuine employers suffer because of underpricing by competitors from outside the jurisdiction who have been able to employ people at a lower cost, to put it mildly, than our locally registered employers. No one is keen on a police State but it is necessary to give adequate powers to all people participating in the multi-agency checkpoints, including the Garda Síochána, the Customs and Excise and social welfare inspectors.

It is important that fraud is eliminated as much as possible. Will the Department give some indication of the progress that has been made in the elimination of fraud? Much has resulted from the elimination of cross-Border fraud, if we may term it as such. I realise substantial progress was made during Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív's time in the Department of Social Protection and during the time of his predecessor, Ms Mary Hanafin, as well. I welcome the heightening of awareness. Having come across the multi-agency checkpoints many times while travelling through my constituency, I realise that it sends out a clear message to people that the State will not tolerate fraud. When fraud is tolerated, we deprive genuine people of their due entitlements and we deprive employers and employees. It is not simply about the quantum of money that could be saved, which is important as well, but the message will be sent out that there will be a level playing field. Since we have a land Border and the country is divided, this particular problem exists right along the Border and it is one that must be continually addressed. I welcome any measure that strengthens the ability of our officers from whatever Department or agency they work.

See this speech in context