Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will go backwards to point out that the social protection code we have had in this country for many years is absolutely effective in protecting people from poverty. The Deputy does not have to take my word for it. The ESRI and Social Justice Ireland will tell him that. It will continue to offer that protection and any changes we have made, and will make in the future, will be put through the standard algorithms to make sure they do not have any negative impact.

Regarding the situation of people on maternity leave, as I said to colleagues earlier, that is a matter for the Minister for Finance. He gave an indication earlier today that he is going to bring a memorandum to Cabinet and I am sure he will make announcements thereafter.

I want to make a point regarding the Estimates and Deputy Tóibín's opinion of them. First, it may not be entirely satisfactory that I happen to be a Minister under the direction of the Constitution of Ireland because I am unelected and that bothers people. I will do the job the Constitution confers on me to the best of my ability for as long as I am needed. I will make sure I do it in the best interests of the people I serve, who are the Irish citizens.

With regard to transparency, I had two full hours of questions and answers in the Dáil last week and I am now entering into my fourth hour of questions today. There have not been many answers today, but I am here and I am willing to answer any questions anybody wants to put to me. The Estimates we have presented today are not dishonest. They were presented to all Deputies yesterday morning at 10 a.m. and they are presented to the House today on a no-policy-change basis. If there is a policy change that requires more money than I have asked the Dáil for today, that will require another Estimate. We come back to the House every year looking for a Supplementary Estimate because, as the Deputy is well aware, the Christmas bonus is never included in annual figures.

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