Harney's own goal divides Government

Major differences have emerged between Fianna Fail and its Coalition partner, the Progressive Democrats, over the Tanaiste's, Ms Harney's, announcement by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, that certain people who refuse offers of work or training will be "cut off" from social welfare payments.

Government spokesmen for Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats offered opposing interpretations of Ms Harney's position after it was confirmed to The Irish Times that no formal Government decision had been made to cut people off social welfare - depending on age - after a six or 12-month period.

The political own goal is causing embarrassment to both Government parties. Last night, the Labour Party submitted a special notice question to the Dail which asks if Ms Harney's plan to introduce compulsion is Government policy. If the motion is accepted this morning, the Dail will be suspended to discuss the matter.

Ms Harney's spokesman explained that, in outlining her intentions, she was referring to the "improving employability" provisions of the Government's action plan which had been submitted to Brussels last March. He also stated that it had been the policy of the previous Coalition that claimants who refused offers of training would be liable to review.

When asked if what Ms Harney had enunciated was Government policy, the Taoiseach's spokesman said: "The action plan is Government policy. What Mary Harney said today; she was emphasising a particular aspect of the plan." Fianna Fail sources later claimed that the Government had never "spelt out" that young people or people unemployed for more than one year would be automatically cut off social welfare if they refused training or offers of work.

Yesterday's announcement conflicts with the Taoiseach's stated position when the action plan was presented to the Luxembourg summit last December. He then said, referring to young people, that "the solution is not to threaten them with the fairly low level of assistance that they have". A joint statement by Fine Gael spokespersons Ms Nora Owen and Mr Jim O'Keeffe said that the unscripted comments by Ms Harney clearly showed how ill-prepared she was to introduce in September the system of targeting the under25s who were on the unemployment list for more than six months.