Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is the direction we have been working. I do not mark my time in the Oireachtas wondering whether I will be re-elected or not. I mark my time trying to get this country back on its feet. That is the attitude of most of the Independent Senators, and especially my colleagues here. They have been working on re-establishing the independence of this country. It has been difficult and there have been difficult decisions. I do not deny that. The Labour Party, as we are constantly reminded, is paying a price at the polls, but so be it if we can get this country moving again and get people back into their jobs. The shortest way out of poverty is back into employment. There are a number of elements. I do not propose to accept the amendment. As I have outlined, there are areas in the pre-budget forum, we have a post-budget forum and there is the switch model that is being tabled. I thank Senator Cullinane for his support for the social welfare Bill. It is important that those payments are made and are made on time and I thank the Senators for what is sometimes constructive criticism, although sometimes it is just scoring party political points and I want to move away from that.