Mr. Dick Spring:

I think the fees which I have outlined are reasonable for the effort and time that I put into working at Allied Irish Banks. My pension is as a former Deputy - which Deputy Doherty will be entitled to in time - and as a Minister. Deputy Doherty will obviously get a ministerial pension if he ever achieves ministerial office and I think he will be perfectly entitled to it.

There is another way of looking at this. I have turned down numerous invitations to take up other positions, which would be equally if not more lucrative than working for Allied Irish Banks. In fact, I have turned down two in recent months because I do not have the time and am not available. I think the payments are reasonable for the time and effort put in.