Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister said that when the assessment is carried out there will be a decision made by the Government as a whole. Based on what some of her party colleagues say about these proposals, it is evident there is divergence between them and the proposals that have come from the Minister, Deputy Bruton. As I said last week I take at face value the assessment to be carried out by her officials. When is that expected to be complete? Will it be made public and will this House have the opportunity to respond to that exercise in its own right? When is the Government to set about making a decision on the matter when all members of Cabinet have carried out their own research? In that regard the Minister for Social Protection is no different from any other Minister. When will the assessment be complete? Will it be made public and available to us? When does the Government expect to make a "whole of Government" decision as it has been described?

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