Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 21, before section 26, but in Part 3, to insert the following new section:

"26.—(1) The Minister shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on data protection policies and procedures within the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

(2) The Minister shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on progress and savings accrued to date as a result of the Department's anti-fraud initiatives within the Department of Social and Family Affairs.".

The issue of fraud arose in our discussion of an earlier amendment. While I am aware the system has been tightened up dramatically in recent months, a report on savings which have accrued as a result of the Department's new anti-fraud initiatives should be laid before the House. A taxi driver in Athlone told a friend of mine that he hops on Ryanair flights to visit his family who live abroad but claims social welfare and child benefit payments here. Unfortunately, neither I nor my friend know the identity of the man in question, although I attempted to find out who he was. However, he was laughing at the way in which he was looked after and treated in this country. I am sure there are similar cases. While I welcome the hard line taken by the Minister on one level, as I indicated on the issue of child benefit, we must avoid penalising ordinary, honest people who are not being fraudulent.