Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The main purpose of the Bill before us today is a positive development. It is a proposal that across the board we would all agree with. It is regrettable and ill-judged that the Government would slip-in this amendment to provide for a pay increase for the super junior Ministers. It is regrettable that the Government is dividing the House in the context of this legislation.

A salary of €124,000 is a very good salary. Adding €16,000 plus to that salary is an indication of how out of touch the Government is with the mood in the country. It is a slap in the face for people who have had a really hard time over the past five months, people who have lost their livelihood, their income and, in some cases, whose homes are in danger. It is also a slap in the face to the business community which is struggling to survive. It is an indication of just how out of touch the Government is and how insular thinking it is.

This proposal contributes to bringing politics into disrepute, in my view, and it is a breach of trust with the public in circumstances where people have in the main been pulling together over the past five months. It is a serious error to make. Even at this late stage, I would appeal to the Minister to think better of this move. It is wrong. The Minister will know in his heart that it is wrong to do this. There is no justification for an increase of €16,000 for people who are already very well paid. I appeal to the Minister not to divide the House on this matter and to withdraw this section of the Bill.

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