Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am a little concerned that some of my other amendments were ruled to be outside the subject matter of the Bill. I will follow up on the matter. It is not an issue for the Acting Chairperson. However, we are talking about the Social Welfare Bill and the matters provided for in social welfare legislation. I know that a couple of the areas I have highlighted are directly provided for in the Social Welfare Acts. The subject matter of the Bill is the amendment of the Social Welfare Act. It would be a poor interpretational practice if it is interpreted as only those topics within the Bill that the Government wishes to speak to. The Bill has been opened, it is there and I am speaking to the subject matter of the Bill. It is appropriate to discuss these matters as part of our annual discussion of the social welfare legislation. If we enter a situation where topics that are in the Social Welfare Act cannot be discussed, that will be a regressive move and roll back on previous practice. I note that. I will follow up on that point.