Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

The body is the problem, as well as the wigs and gowns. It has been too protected. I respect judges. They have to be respected and 99% of them are fine.

We should remember that judges are appointed for life. There should be refresher courses for judges. Life is a learning curve. There are very good refresher courses for us when elections are called. Every day is a learning course. They are not independent. Political cronyism has taken place. The public knows that and is sick of it, which is why it voted the way it did.

The Minister at the time and the Chief Justice asked judges to take a voluntary cut. Most of them did but some did not, which is why a referendum had to be held. Until tonight when I heard the previous speaker I was not aware that recent appointees will escape these provisions, which is not right.

The situation regarding senior public servants and the pension levy sent out the wrong message to Joe Public and Seán Citizen working in any kind of job. We undermined the process of fairness and equity. We must have salary caps. I fought for a long time to have a €200,000 cap imposed. The Minister is going the right way about dealing with this issue, but we must ensure changes are implemented and there are no blockages. We should not have a situation where papers are shoved under his nose and he is asked to sign such and such a document. I accept that the Minister is intent on having a level playing field. We have not had a situation like this for decades where salaries are going in a downward direction.

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