Is there any prospect that at some time in the future there will be some codification of all the social welfare legislation which is steadily getting more and more complicated? We have in section 5 a more or less identical new subsection being inserted in five separate Acts. As this goes on, year by year, it is going to get more and more difficult for anyone to find his way around the Acts. I can see that it would be a long-term job. Are there any proposals at all before the Department for doing some kind of codification of this in years to come?
Social Welfare Bill, 1974: Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 5.
Question proposed: "That section 5 stand part of the Bill."
There has been some consideration or some thought given to a Consolidation Bill on social welfare matters. I am not in a position this morning to give any definite undertaking but I accept the point made by the Senator. It could be of benefit to us all.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 6 to 9, inclusive, agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.