Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien and others who were highly critical of the failure to provide adequate time last night for the debate on a very important matter. We are well paid and some people depend on us to articulate their concerns in this Chamber. The least we should have is the opportunity to do so. I do not know where the blame lies, whether with the Leader or the Government Whip's office. Whoever is to blame, it is appalling and a disgrace. This is symptomatic of the trend since we came back this term. New Members may not be aware but in the previous Seanad it was not unusual for spokespersons to have between 12 and 15 minutes speaking time and for other speakers to have eight to ten minutes. This time around, spokesperson are given eight minutes and other speakers are given five minutes. Debate is being truncated. A speaker can only give some headline comments. In my opinion this is very bad for government because if people have the opportunity to speak - even if they have opposing or critical views - at least it helps to inform policy formulation. I agreed with certain aspects of the budget last night but, for example, I do not agree with the change in the qualification for widows. I know from personal experience what it is like for families to have to make do with the widow's pension. The qualification for a widow's pension is to be increased from three years to ten years. Many women in the workforce leave in order to rear their families and work intermittently over the years. They will be penalised simply because they will not have accumulated ten years. It is an horrendous increase from 156 to 520 weeks qualification and an uncaring decision. If we have any regard for families and widows in particular who are left in very difficult circumstances, this decision should be reversed.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Social Protection come to the House today to debate this issue. I hope that like-minded people on the Government benches who share my concerns will articulate their concerns about this uncaring and unsympathetic measure.