Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, and his officials to the House. This is the first opportunity I have had to welcome him publicly in his new capacity. On behalf of the people of Cavan, in particular, I pay tribute to him for the work he achieved formerly as Minister for Transport.

The Bill provides for the introduction of a series of social welfare improvements which were announced in the budget two weeks ago. The Minister has done a marvellous job in securing the largest ever budget for his Department. He has successfully secured an additional €1 billion social welfare package in this year's budget. Next year, the Department of Social and Family Affairs will oversee an expenditure in excess of €12.25 billion. That is a very welcome increase.

The level of social welfare expenditure is indicative of the Government's priority to protect the living standards of social welfare recipients at a time when difficult decisions must be made on the management of our public finances. Following the publication of an historic budget by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the Government has once again demonstrated its commitment, through action rather than words, to address the needs of the elderly, widowed persons, carers, the disabled and the disadvantaged.

Earlier in the debate, it was interesting to hear Senator Terry welcoming the budget. It is a first for me to hear a Fine Gael representative, particularly a Front Bench spokesperson, welcoming a Fianna Fáil budget. Senator Terry said she was glad to see this was part of the new caring Fianna Fáil. Senator Cox pointed out, however, that we are a caring party and always have been. If Fine Gael has difficulty in realising that, its members have only to examine the social welfare budget which has risen from just under €6 billion in 1997 to a current minimum figure of €12.25 billion. Senator Terry is totally incorrect in trying to mislead those listening to this debate. Fianna Fáil has always been a caring party and will continue to be so. We are the real Labour Party of this country, whether Opposition Senators like it or not.