Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This Bill is extremely controversial. The Government TDs must have the opportunity to come in here and argue for it and we certainly want to argue against it. We have put down a series of amendments to it and the Minister has even put down amendments to it. I acknowledge some extra time has been allocated but we need days to be allocated for this. We are cutting the jobseeker's benefit, increasing PRSI, cutting the respite grant and rushing it through. Where are all the election promises about a new transparency, reforming the system, a new way of doing things and a government which is accountable? It is a case of just push it through. We will be particularly opposing the fourth proposal, which allows the debate on the Bill to collapse and does not give us an opportunity to speak on some of the amendments to it.

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