Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

We will not be accepting the amendment. As Deputy McDonald has already said, this will come as no great surprise. This matter was well thrashed out on Committee Stage. We cannot allow a Minister - either the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - not to have this power. While the power already exists, it is not used in any way to ensure people do not get their entitlements. In all my years here I have not seen it used in that way. It is a power the Minister should have and already has. From time to time there are changes in allowances. That is basically what this power is and it will continue to be that. We will not be accepting the amendment.

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