Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Given that my time is nearly up, I will consider the matter of pensions. I welcome the Green Paper input but there has been ten years of Government inactivity on the issue. The Minister of State rightly stated in her speech that women are falling behind and I appeal to her to give that issue priority. Women who worked at a certain time are now being left behind with regard to social welfare payments and we must address that imbalance.

It is important that we remember the most vulnerable in society at this time of the year. I appeal to those listening to or reading this debate to visit people regularly at Christmas and be particularly cognisant that those who are lonely and vulnerable need help from all of us.

This Social Welfare Bill has done very little to tackle the poverty in this country. I concur with Senator McFadden's remarks and I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me the time to speak.