Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious of the time and that other colleagues have tabled amendments, so I will be brief and speak specifically to my amendment. Where people lose office or cease to be Members, they can find themselves in the invidious position of having no payments due to them. Notwithstanding High Court actions or otherwise, the question also arises as to whether the Minister can, by statutory instrument or other secondary legislation, bring about a change to this policy to ensure that we do not have the charge of discrimination levelled against us within these Houses. That is a question for the Minister.

It would be a mark of fairness if something could be done. Notwithstanding the respect I have for the Minister before us, to suggest that she needs to get all-party agreement to an all-party proposal undermines her authority and her mandate in government to make decisions as Minister. I say this respectfully. Speaking on behalf of my party, if the Minister wants to pursue such a measure and has the mandate and numbers to do it, she will not find any opposition from this part of the House.

See this speech in context