David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is an important week for the Seanad. We will be debating and voting on two important items of legislation, namely, the Social Welfare Bill and the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill. While it is welcome that the Social Welfare Bill will be debated over three days, I do not believe that enough time is being allocated in respect of the debate on it. I refer, in particular, to Second Stage, for which two and a half hours have been allocated. I listened very carefully to what many Senators on the Government benches have had to say on this issue in recent days and weeks in the media. They have appeared on every national radio station imaginable and have spoken about wrestling with their consciences on issues such as cuts to child benefit and the respite care grant. These individuals should be given the opportunity to make contributions to the Second Stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill in order that they might place their views on the record of the House. All of the Sinn Féin Senators want to contribute to the debate on this hugely important legislation, which will have profound implications for many families who depend on child benefit.

I wish to move an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that at least three and a half hours should be allocated for the Second Stage debate on the Social Welfare Bill and that if anyone signals a wish to contribute, he or she should be allowed to speak. I will wait to see what the Leader has to say in respect of this matter. The Social Welfare Bill and the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill are both extremely important and we should ensure that they are properly scrutinised. That is what we are elected to do. We can show the worth of the Seanad by ensuring that we do our jobs. It would be a bad day for the House if Senators, be they on the Government side or in opposition, who want to contribute to the Second Stage debate on this profound Bill will not be able to do so as a result of the short amount of time which has been allocated.