Mr. Martin Fraser:

While I would rather there was a much more scientific process for all of these things, there is not. There is no public service pay body. All we can do is work on what we know. What I know from my experience of the labour market, from being on TLAC, and my own experience is what I have said in the correspondence. I outlined the four options to the Taoiseach and Minister and they chose the option we are discussing, then this figure was arrived at which was less than €300,000. I cannot tell the Deputy that there was some big process - there was not and we both know that. It is a number less than €300,000. That is the number that was reached. It is higher than the normal remuneration but is less than remuneration for other jobs in the public service, as the Deputy knows. It is not unusual internationally for people to be paid different amounts to the standard. I would be very much in favour - in fact I would love it - if there was a more scientific benchmarking of all this. There is plenty of evidence that would be of great use to everybody and it would be easier for everybody - the Deputy and myself, to be honest - to do it properly. Maybe that is something the committee would consider. These things are ascertainable, there is no doubt. I am sure from my experience of the Irish labour market, TLAC and all the rest that my analysis is right about the types of people who apply for these jobs. I know it, that is all I can bring to the table. I have nothing more sophisticated than that.