Tánaiste, the Minister for jobs, admits lack of knowledge of Social Welfare cuts Bill

[aidanodr]

Fine Gael News - Tánaiste admits lack of knowledge of Social Welfare cuts Bill - Enright

How Ironic ..

"Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, the Minister for jobs and unemployment, was unaware of Government plans for a new Social Welfare Bill when questioned in the Dáil, according to Fine Gael Social & Family Affairs Spokeswoman Olwyn Enright TD.

Deputy Enright asked the Tánaiste on the Dáil's Order of Business this morning about Government plans for a new Social Welfare Bill after the Budget. The Dáil's schedule proposes debating the Bill in late April. Yet the Tánaiste had no knowledge of any such legislation.

"You would think the Tánaiste, as deputy to the Taoiseach and whose brief is job creation at a time of massive unemployment, would be aware of a crucial Bill on social welfare. However, when I questioned the Tánaiste, she wasn't aware of any such legislation. In fact, she conceded that Fine Gael knows more about forthcoming legislation in this area than she does.

..... However, the Fianna Fáil Government has indicated that social welfare cuts are on the cards.

"It is worrying when the second most powerful person in the country doesn't even know what the Government is planning to inflict on the ranks of benefit claimants, let alone when."


Aidan

[Clanrickard]

Fine Gael News - Tánaiste admits lack of knowledge of Social Welfare cuts Bill - Enright

How Ironic ..

"Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, the Minister for jobs and unemployment, was unaware of Government plans for a new Social Welfare Bill when questioned in the Dáil, according to Fine Gael Social & Family Affairs Spokeswoman Olwyn Enright TD.

Deputy Enright asked the Tánaiste on the Dáil's Order of Business this morning about Government plans for a new Social Welfare Bill after the Budget. The Dáil's schedule proposes debating the Bill in late April. Yet the Tánaiste had no knowledge of any such legislation.

"You would think the Tánaiste, as deputy to the Taoiseach and whose brief is job creation at a time of massive unemployment, would be aware of a crucial Bill on social welfare. However, when I questioned the Tánaiste, she wasn't aware of any such legislation. In fact, she conceded that Fine Gael knows more about forthcoming legislation in this area than she does.

..... However, the Fianna Fáil Government has indicated that social welfare cuts are on the cards.

"It is worrying when the second most powerful person in the country doesn't even know what the Government is planning to inflict on the ranks of benefit claimants, let alone when."


Aidan

The mandarins in finance probably decided not to explain it as she wouldn't have a clue what's going on.

[Question R24U]

She is not the second most powerful person in the country - she comes in at about 37th between Joe Duffy and jackie healy Rae.

[David Cochrane]

Hang on....

1) She's not Minister for Finance, or Social Welfare

2) The budget isn't today, it's in 5 days. Maybe she'll know before then.

But never let that get in the way of a good press release.

[InReality]

Its not surprising though is it ?

[KingKane]

Hang on....

1) She's not Minister for Finance, or Social Welfare

2) The budget isn't today, it's in 5 days. Maybe she'll know before then.

But never let that get in the way of a good press release.

She is the Tanaiste and this was the "Order of Business" and Bills are part of that and how many bills exactly are up for consideration between now and the summer recess? 10 less than 20? I'll bet she can name all the members of the Donegal senior squad though!

[greengoose]

Hang on....

1) She's not Minister for Finance, or Social Welfare

2) The budget isn't today, it's in 5 days. Maybe she'll know before then.

But never let that get in the way of a good press release.

David, I'm surprised with that comment. Are you being ironic?

Surely these minor issues are discussed around the cabinet table.

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[David Cochrane]

David, I'm surprised with that comment. Are you being ironic?

Surely these minor issues are discussed around the cabinet table.

[SIZE=1][COLOR=yellow]It's important to say[/COLOR][/SIZE]

If I was Minister for Enterprise, Trade and (keeping people in) Employment I'd rather not know about dole payments and the like. When it comes to cabinet discussions, a final decision may not be made, does anyone here actually think the Gov has made a decision yet? That was my point.

[The Red Rose of Cork]

Lets be honest. she is a disgrace and a national figure of embarrassment and ridicule

[greengoose]

If I was Minister for Enterprise, Trade and (keeping people in) Employment I'd rather not know about dole payments and the like. When it comes to cabinet discussions, a final decision may not be made, does anyone here actually think the Gov has made a decision yet? That was my point.

Got it!

All those junket Paddy's Day trips selling the country seem to be a total waste of time as well. Let's look forward to the budget.