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THE CONTROVERSIAL SOCIAL Welfare Bill announced in last week’s budget has passed its second and moved to its third stage in the Dáil with 86 votes to 52 in the final vote sending the bill to committee stage.
Though several government TDs in both Fine Gael and Labour were critical of aspects of the bill, they all voted with the coalition parties.
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó’Snodaigh called for another vote on the third stage by means other than electronic to allow members to “clear their conscience” but the government again had a majority.
Now that the bill has reached committee stage, where proposed amendments are considered and voted upon, TDs will have to formally approve the inclusion of each section.
Speaking before the vote, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said people would suffer if the government fails to get the country back on track.
The minister said she was “very sympathetic” to all of those who are suffering but said “cuts have to be made and we are trying to do this in the fairest way possible”.
The changes to the Social Welfare Bill announced in the budget last week included a cut to the annual Respite Care Grant of over €300 as well as an increase in PRSI contributions, cuts to child benefit and shortening the payment of jobseeker’s benefit.
As the debate in the committee stage began in the Dáil this evening, Ó’Snodaigh said he regretted the fact that it is “a rushed bill” because of the major changes included.
Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea said there was “no reason why we can’t have ample time to debate these amendments”.
He said the changes to the Social Welfare Bill are wide ranging and will have a “huge impact on people’s lives”.
TDs will now debate the different amendments to the bill with two hours set aside in the Dáil tomorrow.
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from Trump’s America stabbing them in the back, to the Turks constantly on their back and now the Iranians , the poor Kurds get an awful time
@Bala mc blaha: Sadly they’ve been getting it since 1916, The Brits and French forgot to give them their own country when they divided the Ottoman empire between them.
Brave Women of Iran and elsewhere often ignored by the western media because they are not part of groups like BLM or part of the Woke agenda This is placing your life on the line for freedom not gluing yourself to a Road or Railing so you can receive Media coverage for you cause.
Where Is whataboutery Wallace and Daly?
@Stephen Gill: I know where they are. They’re living in your head rent free.
@Tom Jacob: Oh! A comment from a wonderful faceless empty head. Out from under the bridge.
@Stephen Gill: Did you give Wallace heat allowance while he’s living in your head?
@Tom Jacob: Since you don’t mention Clare you must be Micks latest childish doe eyed groupie, getting all upset about me mentioning his whataboutery nonsense. You have aptly demonstrated that you are really the only one obsessed by him. The next time you make an intelligent observation it will be your first. Now jog on.
Evil evil regime that Islamic Republic!
have your say