Phil Prendergast (Labour)

This undermines the independence of the social welfare appeals office. When the office makes a decision the Department does not like, the Government changes the law. This enshrines discrimination on the basis of nationality in Ireland. It is deeply divisive and only saves a small amount of money. The need to meet the criteria of the HRC means very few people who are not in need of benefits receive them. It undermines the process one goes through in the social welfare appeals office if the Government can make another law because it does not like the decision.