Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Nothing happened. A circular may have issued during that period but it was on foot of a Government decision already taken. The Government considered all these issues when settling the legislation. Deputy O'Donnell referred to my contribution in the Houses. I was present during the debate on Second Stage and he correctly quoted from my speech. I was not in the Chamber during Committee Stage, when the matter may have been explored in greater detail. On Second Stage I drew attention to the fact that the section was there. The Government's view was that it was inequitable to that group to insist on a cumulative reduction in 2009 greater than that of the grade above it. The statistics on the changes in net pay from 2008 include the pension levy and taxation changes. A Secretary General at level 1 has had a net reduction of 33.9%, a deputy secretary general has had a reduction of 27.3%, an assistant secretary general -- the group we are arguing about -- has had a reduction of 24.9%, and a clerical officer has had a reduction of 7.3%. Let us be clear who is taking the reductions. In respect of their own salaries and arrangements, Members of this House should be aware how much misrepresentation can take place.

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