Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I raise this issue as it is a matter of national importance and of great concern. Some senior civil servants are receiving vast sums of money by way of bonuses, pensions and special lump sums. Perhaps all these packages are tax-free. I raise this on behalf of the many who have been affected adversely by the economic circumstances in which we live. They are suffering as a result of job losses, price increases, reductions in services and difficulties in repaying their mortgages. In light of the exposure of this issue, I ask the Minister who agreed the terms. Can he give us definite information on this? What, if anything, can he do? Can an emergency taxation system be introduced to give the people some comfort?

Many people have been told for a variety of reasons in recent years that terms previously agreed cannot be met. Would it not be in our interest and that of the people to say to Mr. Dermot McCarthy, for example, that we are no longer in a position to meet the terms already agreed in his contract? What message would that send out to the people?

I met a man from Clondalkin last Saturday morning. He told me he had just read about this issue in the newspaper. He was wondering how we could pay a man €3,000 per week. I am wondering the same.

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