As the Bill approaches the end of its passage through the Oireachtas I would like to take the opportunity to express my appreciation at the expeditious manner in which both Houses dealt with it. In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the members of the Joint Committee, Senators and Deputies, for their excellent work in considering this complex measure.
The members of the Committee went into the provisions of the Bill in great detail and many worthwhile suggestions were made. In this context I was pleased to accept as a helpful improvement to the clarity of the Bill an amendment proposed by Senator FitzGerald. Other important suggestions were made by other members of the Committee but because of Standing Orders they could not be incorporated in the Bill. I did, however, undertake to have them considered further and I hope to deal with most of them in legislation to be initiated shortly.
This Bill is solely a consolidation measure which does not and cannot effect any change in the law as it stands at present. It is, however, an important piece of legislation which draws together into one Act all the social welfare schemes and the multiplicity of Acts which governs them. This development will not only be of great benefit to the officials of my Department but I am sure it will also be an invaluable aid to Members of the Oireachtas, social and community workers and others persons and organisations involved in advising and assisting the public on social welfare matters. I have pleasure in commending this Bill to the House.
