Government has reiterated that there will be no scaling back of National Insurance benefits but insists changes are essential and has again being seeking to explain why.
The case was made as Minister of Energy and Business Development, Senator Lisa Cummings, led off joint debate in the Senate on two bills related to overhaul of the NIS structure and the adjustments to the pension scheme.
She says critical decisions have to be made to protect the social security system.
The process involves changing the NIS from a civil service department into a commercial entity.
Minister of Energy and Business Development, Senator Lisa Cummings.
