Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Some may be better able than others to afford to send back money. It is an easy way to receive positive and warm acknowledgement and affirmation from the public. Any increases received by any group such as politicians, teachers or anyone else as a result of benchmarking were hard earned and well deserved. This should be made clear.

The benchmarking process also includes a real commitment to restructuring and modernisation. Over the last week many have asked what politicians will do to earn their increases. It is not true that we will decide to talk longer and louder to earn the extra moneys we will be given but we should make a commitment to restructuring and modernisation. It is more important than ever that we focus on the work of the sub-committee reviewing the Seanad. Each group and party should make a public commitment to making changes, some of which might be uncomfortable, to show that we are prepared to make and live with changes and make them work.

Some groups such as retired teachers are paid on a monthly basis rather than on a fortnightly basis as is the case with their colleagues. I would like the Leader to ask the Department of Finance to explain the reason retired people cannot avail of fortnightly payments. The frequency of payment is important to those on lower incomes when structuring their weeks. I would like a response on this issue.