Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister and his officials for coming before us today and on previous occasions to discuss the Bill. It is a tremendous achievement. We have had a very detailed discussion about pensions but we should not lose sight of the fact that this is the most significant piece of social welfare legislation that has come before us to date. Social welfare spending is at an all-time high. This year, major increases will make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in receipt of child benefit, disability payments, pensions, respite care grants and a range of benefits paid to the less well off. The Bill also recognises the importance of pensions.

Senator Terry should be complimented, irrespective of whether we agree with the thrust of her specific points on pensions. Her contribution forces us to analyse the information and the work being carried out on pensions. If the working group on pensions reports to the Minister in September, it will have had plenty of food for thought which can only lead to a better situation. I am delighted the Minister has reiterated that next year will see the finalisation of the Government's commitments on child benefit. We also look forward to the introduction of the two-tiered child benefit payment that may address some of the concerns we have about child poverty. I am proud to be on this side of the House, having passed a piece of legislation enabling the highest ever spending on social welfare. I compliment the Minister on the way he must have fought his corner at the Cabinet table.