Aideen Hayden (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Lucinda Creighton - and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, who was here earlier - to the House. I welcome the Bill before us, which contains measures that will assist this country back to economic health.

Although I accept the measures in this Bill will contribute to the nation's economic health and will get more of our people back to work, it is critical that all the measures that we take in government, including those in this legislation, are subject to independent review and analysis. I welcome the Minister's commitment to reviewing the measures in this Bill.

Colleagues in the Seanad have raised concerns about the legislation. Meals out for the rich may be one of the unintended consequences of this legislation. We may be accused of robbing the old to pay for the needs of the young or robbing the pension funds of the lower paid while letting the rich off scot-free. There is always the possibility of the best intentions having unintended consequences. It is with this in mind that I request the Minister to consider the reinstatement of the Combat Poverty Agency as a matter of urgency.

We are in danger of becoming obsessed with all things financial and running the risk of ignoring the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. History has demonstrated that not all boats will rise with the rising tide and not all people will suffer equally in a recession. It is important, therefore, that we understand the effects of the policies we are making. We need to look beyond projections to see how real people are affected. Without independent research telling us, we can be overlooking problems that may be brewing under the surface, that in the long term will hinder rather than help the development of the country and that will have a high human cost. It is not enough for Departments to conduct their own research. Independent published analysis which brings information into the public domain and allows for proper debate is necessary. Neither is it wise for us to listen to those who shout loudest. While I respect Senator Quinn, I am not of the view that the revival of the economy will be achieved by defeating the joint labour committees, JLCs, and reducing the incomes of the most vulnerable. Poverty is often hidden and difficult to assess and the Combat Poverty Agency had a proud tradition of bringing forward the best quality research and putting Governments and their policies under review.

Since 2009 the agency has been effectively disbanded. It has been shunted from Department to Department and its staff scattered to the four winds. This has been a very short-sighted policy. Unlike the last Government, we in this Government are not afraid of independent review and assessment of our actions and we are not willing to push criticism under carpet. I therefore call for the urgent reinstatement of the Combat Poverty Agency to ensure the measures we take in this Government, including this legislation, can be defended.