Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A Cheann Comhairle, as you will see, there is a note that I have opposed this section. I oppose it for all the reasons outlined by all the Opposition parties together in the last hour or so. It is outrageous that the first act of this Government is to increase the number of super junior and junior Ministers. This is at a time when many of our constituents have had two weeks without electricity, then more weeks without broadband and with no end in sight. The first thing the Government and the Minister have done is to increase the number of jobs for the boys. Of course, the number of super junior Ministers is being increased from three to four. This legislation will mean that all four of these super junior Ministers will get the pay that super juniors are awarded. Resulting from this legislation, which super junior Minister will now be paid the salary of a junior Minister that they were not paid up to this point? That is outrageous and it is why I am opposing this section. The Opposition collectively submitted numerous amendments to this legislation because we think it is outrageous, should not happen and the Government is just trying to get this pushed through in a matter of two hours without much debate.

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