Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Social Welfare Bill and join with other speakers in congratulating the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, on their very effective stewardship of the largest spending Department in the Government in the past number of years. It is important to reflect on where we were four or five years ago when we assumed office. The country was, in effect, in receivership and every Member of this House knows that a company or a business in receivership has no easy way out. Difficult decisions have to be taken and people, unfortunately, get hurt. The reality is that we live in a very equal and fair society.

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