We get into meaningless language when Ministers' scripts are written by public servants who benefit from benchmarking. The Minister of State stated: "Benchmarking accounts for just over one quarter of the expected increase in the pay bill." Presumably, this is true. However, just over one quarter is a large amount. Senator Mansergh said it is a small amount but to me €300 million is a large amount. One can do a great deal with €300 million. Estimates debates are usually shopping lists for Senators and Deputies. If that €300 million were saved, I presume many of the worthy demands of Members could be paid for. I do not believe the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon or his party leader believe in benchmarking but they believe it is not worth the candle to do anything about it.