Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

In the case of two brothers who have worked for a number of months, one who is made unemployed before Christmas and one after Christmas, will the Minister acknowledge that we have treated them differently? Perhaps I am reading the legislation incorrectly. The Minister said the change only affects those who have never worked. Will she clarify that it affects people who have worked, who have paid PRSI and tax, and that she has decided to cut their social welfare by more than 50%? Unfortunately, they have not made enough contributions to enable them to claim the benefit which would exempt them. Will the Minister clarify this because she has led the Seanad to believe this affects only people who have never worked?