Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business "that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs come to the House to discuss the appalling social welfare fraud that was so well documented on last night's "Prime Time Investigates" programme".

I congratulate "Prime Time Investigates" for being able to uncover so much fraud. Why can we, the State and the Department in particular not uncover such fraud? It is estimated that €2 billion has been over-claimed. Some unfortunate families are about to lose child allowance. There has been an increase in the cost of briquettes and petrol, which will affect the ordinary honest to goodness person and yet people are blatantly working while claiming social welfare. What is being done about it? Fine Gael believes in having an integrated identity card to stamp out PPS number fraud. I cannot understand why that does not happen. The Minister must come to the House to explain to us as representatives of the people. I dispute Deputy Alex White's negative attitude to the Seanad.