Shane Ross (Independent)

Like Senator Mansergh, I agree with what Senators Brian Hayes and Maurice Hayes have said. Respect for minorities who may want to maintain their identities should also be borne in mind. Whereas the motives of those in the majority church may be ones that we criticise, there may not be enthusiasm for this from all minorities. I would hate to think that they would have something imposed on them – in respect of the area of scouting – which they did not want. I do not know enough about the matter, but we should be sensitive about it.

Senator Ryan is correct that we should have a debate on competitiveness. This is an extremely important and relevant matter and, as Senator Higgins said, one of the most major ingredients of competitiveness is pay. Let us include in this executive pay. It is not just remuneration packages of €1 million per year that are in question; there is at least one chief executive who is receiving nearly €2 million per year. Senator Ryan is again correct when he says that people from the top of business and industry and IBEC should not lecture us about our pay when, without accountability, they award themselves such enormous amounts.