Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I express my frustration with the debate on the need for consensus which has been taking place for several weeks. Last Wednesday week I raised the possibility of our dealing with tangible proposals on a whole-House basis, in the belief those in this room and the other House could come up with solutions to the problems we were facing. Instead, the pantomime has continued with a call for a debate on consensus itself. We know the benefits of consensus. What is needed at this point are the tangibles. We have to break what has become and is perceived as the institutionalisation of the political class, which consists of the Members of both Houses. If we are to do that, and I agree with Senator Harris, then the efficiencies proposed in the Croke Park deal have to be achieved immediately, and not in the pedestrian way that is occurring at the moment. That must be led from the front by the Members of these Houses. If my salary today is around €60,000 and that is in line with an income level of 2007, then that is too much because our income levels are 2003 and 2004. While I, personally, have commitments in line with an income of that level, I will have to deal with that.

The reality is not enough money is coming in and we will have to contemplate pay cuts. Rather than do this in a superficial way by saying we should cut the number of Members and their salaries or abolish the Seanad, it must be done throughout the entire public service.