I move:
That the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Benefit) Regulations, 1974 (S.I. No. 16 of 1974) be and are hereby annulled.
I was anxious to get clarification on a couple of points relating to these regulations and as the statutory period for consideration of the regulations by the House had almost expired, the only course open to me was to put down a motion. I was not sure of the position in regard to the income tax year and the fiscal year. I understood that the income tax year would continue to 31st March while the fiscal year would end on 31st December and that the pay-related year would also end on 31st December. I was not clear as to whether this would in any way affect the situation in regard to reckonable earnings which are reckoned on the previous income tax year. I also wanted to question whether dividing £2,500 income by 50 would, in fact, be equal to a 4 per cent allowance. I further wanted to find out what the situation was in relation to a person who became ill immediately before the end of the tax year. I made some inquiries about these matters and I satisfied myself in regard to them and, therefore, if the House would so consent, I wish to withdraw the motion.
