Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and thank the Technical Group for giving me some of its speaking time. I compliment Deputy Mattie McGrath and his excellent staff who put together this Private Members' motion. I will be excused for mentioning one member of that group, Maureen McGrath, for her excellent work and contribution at all times in helping with these types of motions. This is a very important issue if we consider what happened last week at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

The country was appalled by the seeping arrogance of some the people who were called by politicians, in good faith, to give evidence and answer questions. These people are receiving extraordinary sums of money. The people cannot and will not stand for a situation where an individual in his early fifties - I will not name somebody who is not here to speak for themselves - is on a pension of €500,000 per year for the rest of life, particularly in these times. It just does not make sense. It is not right nor fair. It is immoral. The people who received millions of euro in golden handshakes were the orchestrators and were deeply involved in the downfall of this country. Their thanks were handshakes of millions of euro.

This is at a time when I and other Deputies, including Government backbenchers and Ministers, are dealing with people every day who are trying to provide home help with reduced hours to take care of people's personal needs. They are being told they will be paid for only half an hour for tasks that might take an hour and a half. They are working for nothing for the rest of the time. Those people are taking care of the elderly in society and keeping them in their own homes. I am passionate about this issue because I believe in it. However, those people are doing that work for nothing, yet when they turn on the television or pick up the newspaper they see these other people getting millions of euro in pensions and golden handshakes. It is immoral.

I wish to mention one name, and he will not mind me mentioning it.

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