Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

That type of knee-jerk reaction is typical of what the country does not need, but it is what we are dealing with again today. The issue of current Members receiving ministerial pensions has often been discussed in recent years. Some Members in this and the Upper House decided to forgo their pensions while they were still in receipt of Dáil or Seanad salaries. In a number of cases, this was done quietly and with little fuss. Following the appointment of Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as a European Commissioner, the issue returned to centre stage. The focus was not solely on her, but also on many former Ministers who were still Members of this House or the Seanad. In many respects, they were pressurised into making hasty decisions.

Whether in newspapers or on the radio, this issue got considerable coverage. On Tuesday of last week, Deputy Kenny rose in the House and stated:

Today, the Fine Gael Party has published a Bill that would immediately terminate the payment of ministerial pensions to serving Members of the Oireachtas. My challenge to the Taoiseach is to accept the Fine Gael Bill and thereby put an end to this practice for once and for all, in the interests of all concerned. The relentless pursuit of individuals could then finally be dealt. If this proposal is not accepted, I intend to place our Bill before the Dáil during next week's Private Members' business...

I have not seen this Bill anywhere. Has anyone seen it?

The motion before the House is typical of Deputy Kenny. It is a knee-jerk reaction. Deputy Kenny says the popular thing - what he thinks the people want to hear.

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