Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The very continuing existence of a Government which lacks accountability and has not even the capacity to say "sorry" for the disastrous economic policies it implemented is exacerbating the problems with which we are confronted.

This particular measure dealing with the levy is unfair. It seeks to impose what is called a "pension levy" but is in reality a pay decrease for those at the very lowest levels of income who do not even earn the average industrial wage. Yes, we need social solidarity and coherence. However, what this Government has attempted to do is create a wedge between the public and private sector and by producing piecemeal policies is driving people onto the streets and producing ongoing and continuing social instability to the detriment of everyone in the country.

Many people who will be affected by this levy find it completely incomprehensible that those who caused and contributed to this problem and disaster in the banking and regulatory sector continue to get a series of golden handshakes and huge payments for continuing in their positions that go way beyond the expectations of any individual in an ordinary job in this country.

There are people who should be affected by this legislation who are exempt from it. As a lawyer I am fully conscious of the reality that our Judiciary is independent. As a Member of this House I am quite willing and accepting of any salary deductions that we must take. Many people outside this House on €30,000 or €40,000 a year who will be affected by this levy will look askance at the fact that the Judiciary, who are paid substantial sums of money, are exempt from it. Why are they exempt? If it was actually a pension levy there would be no difficulty in applying it to the Judiciary but the Government knows it is simply a wage reduction by another name and there could be constitutional difficulties. I am asking the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to engage in discussions with the Judiciary to bring it within the terms of this levy as every Member of this House will be. I see no reason it should be exempt.

Until such time as we truly clean up the banking sector and whatever investigations are necessary are conducted, no matter how much money is poured in it will continue to lack international credibility. By now the fraud squad should be investigating some of the events we know involved Anglo Irish Bank, Irish Nationwide and Irish Life & Permanent. The Government has a role in ensuring this fraud squad investigation takes place. If there is any doubt as to the capacity of the fraud squad to deal with such complex financial issues, if need be we should look for assistance from a respected outside investigative agency whether it be the FBI or any other agency that could be of assistance to us.

I listened to Deputy Gogarty of the Green Party speaking earlier. I look askance at the double act the Green Party is playing. It is sort of in the Government but apart from it.

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