Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his attendance. While a provision of €2.1 million has been made for the referendum on the abolition of the Seanad, I could not discern a figure for an information campaign whereas in the previous referendum campaign, approximately €2 million was put into such a campaign. In respect of travel, I accept the Government has been very careful in its travel policy to ensure it gets best value. However, I ask the Taoiseach to consider the possibility that it is being too politically correct. The pilot of the Government jet must maintain a certain number of air miles and consequently the jet must take off. I appreciate the freedom of information request will be on how much did it cost for X number of miles flown by the Government jet but could the Government be costing itself money by allowing the pilot of the State jet to fly air miles without passengers?

As for fees for counsel, is my understanding correct that while several reductions were outlined in the Taoiseach's document bringing about a reduction in fees to counsel, the Estimates include a figure of approximately €12.5 million because they have taken on additional work? Are counsels adjusting their work rate or the amount of work they are taking on and still getting an increase in salary?

I also wish to raise one of my hobbyhorses, about which I am greatly concerned, namely, the International Financial Services Centre Clearing House Group. While I always have had concerns about the access it has had at the top level, duplication in this regard recently has been noted given the number of State services that interconnect with the IFSC. Consequently, is there a need for the Clearing House Group to get access at such a high level? Finally, on the Moriarty tribunal and the outstanding costs regarding payments for Messrs. Haughey and Lowry - I take it that it is to their legal representatives - the Taoiseach should consider putting in an additional Estimate to allow the Moriarty tribunal to look again at the information on tape that was published by the Sunday Independent. I believe it to be a matter of public interest that a small section should be taken to look at those tapes to ascertain whether it constitutes new information and whether it should be reviewed. Should a provision be made in the departmental Estimates to do this?