Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My amendments Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, require the Government to undertake a review of different cuts in different areas of social welfare provision within four months of the passage of the Bill. The Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, noted this morning that all the information is already available which, of course, I already know. What I am suggesting is that the information be collated and reports be produced outlining the impact of the cuts under the different categories. If the Government is in a position before the next budget to begin the process of reversing some of the cuts that have been made, it would have all the information before it to decide, for example, whether a smaller item of expenditure might be restored in its entirety and a larger item left untouched or, instead, whether half the smaller item might be restored and a start made on reinstating the larger item. The reporting mechanism I am suggesting would be a useful guide for any government deciding on social expenditure in the context of a budget.

It also would be a catalyst to the Government to act in a context where the Tánaiste has stated on several occasions that she would like to reverse the cuts as resources allow. If the economy continues to grow and if the Tánaiste is still in office for next year's budget, it would be a useful guide to her. I expect, however, that she will reject my amendments because of the inconvenience of recommitting the Bill and so on. It is a sad reflection on the way we do our business in this House. If the Tánaiste does not want to put these provisions into the legislation and thereby place an obligation not only on this Government but also its successor, if the reports have not been done within the lifetime of this Administration, will she at least consider taking my suggestion on board? I will not press the amendment if she gives an indication she is prepared to do so.

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