Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I am disturbed by trends emanating from the Government regarding social welfare recipients, from the comments on lifestyle choice by the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton to today's comments by the Taoiseach on scams. It must be reiterated that the majority of social welfare recipients are not scammers and are in a difficult position because of the economic crisis. Headlines about €1 billion cuts in the welfare budget and so on are not good enough.

Will the Taoiseach give a clear timetable for the publication of the comprehensive spending review? We are reading about it every day in the newspapers. The House deserves an opportunity to debate this independent review. When is the social welfare Bill expected to be published?

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