Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

This Bill is very important. I commend Deputy Conway. The Government is focusing on the protection of all citizens and defending their rights, and it undoubtedly faces considerable challenges. The Members opposite were asleep for 13 years. In the last year of their regime, they had no choice and had to make changes. One step they took was to examine social welfare. Former Minister Deputy Ó Cuív became Minister for Social Protection. "Protection" is the key word. I refer to the protection of all citizens, on which the current Government continues to focus.

One of the most important things we can do as politicians and legislators is ensure we tackle the issues of poverty and social exclusion. Throwing money at the problem does not work. The Bertie Ahern model failed. Pouring out money before general elections does not work, as Deputy Conway stated. The fabric of society must be considered in the context of the 14 years of Fianna Fáil's rule. While Fianna Fáil can point to sports capital programmes and big edifices across the country, it failed to establish what we are as a people. We should not use its model as the benchmark.

Whether Deputy John Browne likes it or not, we must encourage people to remain within the education system. When I taught at applied leaving certificate level - I was very proud and privileged to do so - I derived great professional pride from seeing young people stay in school and then set out on a career. Recently I met a past pupil who is now a member of An Garda Síochána. If the alternative to the leaving certificate were not in place, this person would not have got that job. I would hate to think of what could have happened to him. We must encourage people to stay in school and then move to work or further education.

As somebody who was involved in education, I very much commend many of our citizens on returning to education, formal or informal, and getting a second chance. I refer to up-skilling and learning anew. The Government is about offering opportunities; it is not a question of merely throwing money at people. We have not got the money in any case. The boom is gone and the bubble has burst.

Contrary to the rhetoric of some in this House, but not the Members in the Chamber at present, the Government is not making any class distinction between lone parents, their families and children because they comprise a very important part of society. Every public representative meets people from different strata of society every day and makes no distinction between them. It ill-behoves people on the other side of the House to do so in this Chamber.

Deputy Conway made reference to the legacy of the previous regime and she is absolutely correct. We must now reform our social welfare system. The members opposite would agree it is absolutely necessary. As policy-makers, we have a duty to consider how we might assist with the social protection of citizens, empower them and offer support. It requires all of us to be honest. If we really want to empower people and give them an opportunity, let us engage meaningfully. Let us move away from headlines and sound bites and debate properly and with integrity.

The Government must encourage people and facilitate participation in employment. We must also recognise that there are difficulties in gaining employment. This is why it is important for us to assist people in not becoming welfare dependent. They must derive value from having a job and we must ensure this is the case.

I will happily allow Deputy Browne or Deputy Calleary a minute of my remaining time in the spirit of bipartisanship in the House.

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