Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for her initial response. While I acknowledge I have asked this question in the past, I do so in the context of more recent developments such as last week's cut in fuel allowances and so on. The question also arises in the context of the statement made by the Tánaiste, Deputy Gilmore, on the Government's 100th day in office when he stated categorically that welfare rates would not be cut, as per the commitment in the programme for Government. When asked previously, the Minister stated that while she could not necessarily stand over that commitment, she would do what she could for it. Only last week at a meeting of the Select Sub-Committee on Social Protection, she spoke of the efforts being made to make further savings in respect of anti-fraud measures-----

See this speech in context