Seanad debates

Tuesday, 25 March 2003

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

Some years ago, there was a sharp increase in inflation over six months. The former Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy Dermot Ahern, wanted such a re-examination, but the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, opposed it. That information was acquired through a FOI request – God bless the Act – in the days when we used to find out what was happening around the Cabinet table. The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was a lone voice in arguing that those who suffered that difficult six-month period should see another increase in benefits. This year, I predict we will see the same argument come August and September, if the current problems of growing inflation continue.

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