Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire, an Teachta Burton, as ucht an obair atá á dhéanamh aici dúinn. I commend the Minister on her efforts to reduce and tackle social welfare fraud. I only have a few minutes. She is already considering giving additional powers to inspectors at airports and ports. That is also to be commended. I am aware of social welfare recipients who anxiously wait for the hour when they can collect their due entitlements. Long may that be considered. I understand that many other people can afford to wait for three or four weeks before collecting their payments. I am suspicious of those who can wait for a month before they receive their social welfare payments. We should examine their means of support. I was brought up in a one-parent family as the eldest of four children. The lone parent was my father who worked away from home six days a week. I was responsible for looking after my siblings every day except Sunday. I assure the House that there were no lone parents' payments, or any other parental payments, in those days. I am not saying that I would like a return to those days. I believe we have come a long way. I applaud the Minister again for her efforts in overcoming social welfare fraud.