Results 6,901-6,920 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: They are well aware that the welfare payments-----

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The welfare payments provided by the Deputy's comrades in the Labour Party in the United Kingdom are but a fraction of what is provided in this jurisdiction. These are the realities and the sooner that all Members begin to reflect on them and to work out how to deal with them for the future, the better for this country and our children because we cannot continue-----

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I agree with Deputy Crawford and we must attend to the health service. While it is not the subject of this debate, I agree with him.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Again, very difficult decisions also will be required to get that balance right. All Members know the type of decision that must be taken in that regard but that debate will take place in this House another time.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government considered carefully how savings could be made in the welfare area. In the budget last October, it increased payments by approximately 3%. That increase was given and decided upon by the Government on the basis of a forecast that suggested there would be inflation this year of that order. That was only last October. As I noted recently in this House, the science of economic...

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government knows that to date this year, there has been a reduction in the cost of living. The position may arise at the end of this year that when one takes together the 3% increase provided for this year and a 5% drop in the cost of living, that there will have been a real increase in welfare provision of 8%. That is what is envisaged this year.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: These are the economic facts, upon which Opposition Deputies do not wish to reflect.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: These are the difficult economic issues to which Opposition Members do not wish to direct their minds.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is far easier to enter this House and utter platitudes than to deal with the realities of the position facing this country.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes, absolutely.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Real public servants were obliged to make a substantial contribution, on average of 7.5%, to their pension arrangements. Real taxpayers throughout this community face substantial increases in income tax across the board.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no point in Members referring to what happened in the past as though we do not all bear some responsibility.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is not-----

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While we will not go back as far as Adam and Eve-----

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----I outlined clearly the rates of increase that were introduced in recent years. I contrasted that with the relatively ungenerous treatment in other jurisdictions for persons in exactly the same position. The idea that this country is a haven of difficulty simply is untrue.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If one considers the consistent poverty statistics, which is an important issue in any social welfare debate, one can see how dramatically the position has improved in Ireland in recent years in respect of the elderly, among whom there is very little consistent poverty, not alone because of the extremely high rates of payment by international standards on the basic State pension, which is...

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Of course old people living on their own need every support.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: However, Deputy O'Donnell will be aware, if he studies conditions in other countries, of how superior are our arrangements.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Opposition parties must get out of this bubble because we must compare ourselves with other countries. The real world in which we live is one in which we must compete with other countries to sell our goods and provide services.

Social Welfare Benefits: Motion (23 Apr 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If my time has expired, I am happy to conclude. I welcome the opportunity to intervene in this debate and support the position of the Government.