Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

He referred to an individual who is familiar to us through the media. It is open to the Government to address the matter collectively by introducing appropriate legislation that would, if necessary, deal with the issue retrospectively. It is bringing forward a constitutional referendum in respect of the judges and if it is concerned that retrospective legislation would not stand up to the Constitution, it should bring forward an amendment. I ask for less posturing and fewer outrageous attacks on individuals. We should deal with the issue in an open and collective manner rather than make scapegoats of individuals who worked hard for this State. This is not to suggest that I agree with the pay levels but we should not make scapegoats for political purposes. We owe it to the public servants who work on our behalf not to denigrate them and for this reason I was very disappointed about the aforementioned intervention.

See this speech in context