Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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We have some information in front of us but, as I indicated, I do not think it is entirely comprehensive. It would be instructive to carry out a case study on particular officeholders, say, the Taoiseach, and in saying that, I am not personalising this to the current occupant of the office.

It is a salary of €200,000 and expenses, I understand, of €118,981 although that figure is open to correction or modification to break that down for the taxpayer. Equally, with regard to the Tánaiste and other Ministers and senior officeholders, it would be helpful to have the information in that kind of format. As regards "super junior" Ministers, there was some controversy not so long ago around an additional allowance that two such office holders were receiving. I understood that was to be reviewed but I am not sure that it was. It remains my view that one could not make any kind of coherent argument to give an additional €17,205 to the Government Whip or the Minister of State with responsibility for housing simply because they were at Cabinet meetings. I do not think it stacks up.

Does Mr. Watt have any information as to where that particular review went? Will that form part and parcel of the overall assessment the Minister will make? In all of this, we have to be assured that there is value for money. We had the Defence Forces in the other day and we will scrutinise teachers, gardaí, nurses and others across the public sector. That is all right, but we must also show a willingness to do that for people in public office and particularly those in the most senior positions.