John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

I concur with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's comments and agree that we are rushing through this Bill. I accept that fraudulent behaviour should be dealt with and I have no problem with that. However, we need clarity. I accept that there should be a penalty for a person who has defrauded the social welfare system, and the money that has been fraudulently taken from the system should be paid back. However, the Minister should clarify that the actual payment to which the person is entitled will not be affected. The reason for this is simple. I apologise if I am reading the provision wrong but, like Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I am not too clear on this. I do not agree with fraud in the system or with the person who fraudulently makes a claim or takes a payment. However, there is still a necessity for some sort of payment to that person if he or she is unemployed anyway - that is, if the fraud was not to do with claiming jobseeker's allowance. Like most other Deputies, I have no problem with whatever fines are established, and the fact that money that is fraudulently taken from the system must be paid back, but I ask the Minister to ensure that the claim to which the person is actually entitled is not affected.

See this speech in context