Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to contribute on this important debate on the need for an urgent reform of how citizens' money is spent by the State. I commend my colleague, Deputy Mattie McGrath, and the Independents on tabling this Private Members' motion. I wish to tell the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell, that we are not an rag-bag of Independents. Rather, we are a group of Independent Deputies who stand for change, reform and good, sound economic policies. The former Minister's recent attack on Members of the Oireachtas was a disgrace and should not go unchallenged. His failed political policies should never be forgotten.

I wish to set out a clear way forward for the country. It must be fair and just. In an economic crisis, those who have the most should take the greatest hit. I am sick and tired of children, the disabled, senior citizens and carers taking that hit. I urge fairness and common sense in tonight's debate. We need to tax those who have money, not the needy in society. This must be a red line issue ahead of the budget. I call on the Government and Government backbenchers to support our motion, which states:

That Dáil Éireann:in view of the Government's:

-- exhortations to Irish citizens to embrace austerity;

-- decision to raid ordinary citizens' pension funds;

-- threat to end tax relief on ordinary citizens' pension contributions in the forthcoming budget; and

-- recent changes to the qualifying conditions for the contributory State pension;

calls on the Government to end the current system of paying grossly overgenerous pensions and massive lump sums on retirement to office holders such as Cabinet Ministers, taoisigh, Deputies, Senators, senior public servants, State regulators including the Financial Regulator, members of the Judiciary and the CEOs of semi-State bodies and State-funded banks.

Last week, I received a call from a young teacher on the subject of allowances. Her take-home salary was €24,000 per annum and her husband had been laid off. She was concerned about the removal of her €4,000 allowance for her honours degree. It would have a major impact on her family. Some people have a go at public servants when allowances are debated, but I am referring to public servants who serve this country well and are low paid or are on the average industrial wage.

The motion is about the prudent management of our public finances and using the savings appropriately, for example, services for the disabled, senior citizens and carers. Today, we learned that €38 million had been wasted on preparing the Mater hospital site. Some people predict that the amount could be higher, yet the Government wants another site. God help us when we enter the planning phase of that project. Consider what €40 million could do for carers, the disabled, senior citizens and the unemployed.

The Government was elected on the issues of waste and value for money, yet it is squandering and wasting. This is not good enough. The money saved via our motion would go a long way towards saving the services at, for example, St. Michael's House or Prosper Fingal in Swords and Portmarnock. Many disabled northsiders use and need those services. So much for all of the talk about protecting the vulnerable in society. I urge everyone to support the disability march at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 21 November from College Green to Leinster House on Kildare Street.

This motion brings a sense of justice to the debate on our public finances and the spending of our citizens' money. The current system of paying grossly overgenerous pensions and massive lump sums must end. How can a Minister or any politician have the brass neck to seek cuts to services for pensions or the disabled while this gravy train continues? It is up to each of us to be accountable and transparent. Politicians, in particular those on the Government side, must lead by example. For this reason, I urge all Deputies across the floor of the House to support our motion.

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