Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

On behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome most sincerely the clarity and the forthrightness of the response of the Tánaiste. This is a matter I would like to return to today under promised legislation but I warmly welcome and acknowledge his response and, most particularly, the efforts of the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, in the area of child protection.

Yesterday the Tánaiste's party colleague, Senator Gilroy, highlighted the fact Senators earn €27,000 less than TDs. I am not sure whether he was calling for a reduction in the salary of TDs or an increase in Senators' pay - the Tánaiste might explain. What is the Labour Party's position on pay for politicians and special advisers? I believe, given the real suffering of people, this issue needs to be addressed.

Yesterday's live register figures show 436,000 people were without a job, and I have no doubt this figure is kept low because of the huge level of emigration. People are actively looking for work to pay their bills and look after their families, yet they still see their politicians, the political class, enjoying lavish salaries and perks of office. At a time when the Government is planning to impose water charges and other charges on hard-pressed households, for the benefit in particular of our Labour colleagues, I point out that Mr. Conor Murphy MP, the former Sinn Féin Minister who stopped water charges in the North of Ireland, is in Leinster House and you might want to talk to him later.

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