Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I listened carefully. Technology allows me to do so without being present in the Chamber. The Oireachtas Commission recently brought forward a number of proposals which we expect will deliver savings of some €4 million on a full year basis. It is an initiative by Members of the Oireachtas from all parties and will contribute towards the crucial goal of reducing public expenditure. The specific changes which the commission has recommended include reducing the number of Oireachtas committees which, strangely, given Deputy Hogan's declared interest in reform, does not feature, even in passing, in his motion.

I wonder, when we hear about the €20,000 paid to chairpersons who are members of Fine Gael as well as other parties, why the Deputy would not declare his sincerity and say his party will forgo this money to demonstrate just how serious he is about reform, if he is serious about it the first place. He can act unilaterally, as I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is aware. I will not draw him into this.

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