Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

When does the Government intend to bring the Social Welfare Bill to the House, giving effect to some of the changes announced in the budget? This will be the first Social Welfare Bill introduced by Deputy Brennan as Minister for Social and Family Affairs. The Minister has on many occasions displayed an ability to say different things to different people. He told us before the recent budget that the savage 16 cutbacks announced last year would be brought to an end. Three of those will be tinkered with but 13 will remain in place. When will this House have a chance to hear the Minister account for his pre-budget and post-budget statements?