John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Fraser does not know the answer to many other questions that have been asked this morning. I find it hard to fathom that someone at the centre of Government, as Mr. Fraser is, having been there for as long as he has, does not know some of the things that are going on. This particular issue has gone on for some time. In response to the question as to whether there will be knock-on effects from the increase the Secretary General has received, these individuals and others are now coming forward to say their jobs are also important. They have written to the Department about the matter and received a dismissive letter from the Secretary General. It is not right to say there will not be knock-on demands. This particular demand is supported by a decision of the courts, which is approved under report No. 42 of 2007.

Mr. Fraser may not know about it and we will take it that he does not. I ask him, therefore, as the secretary, if you like, to the Taoiseach and the Government, to take that up with the Department of Health and encourage resolution on behalf of those who are affected. They seem to think a serious injustice is being done here. They were fobbed off and told that, under FEMPI legislation, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform cannot and will not do anything but the FEMPI legislation does not apply to the increase for the Secretary General. Is that correct?