Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support the remarks of our leader, Senator Brian Hayes, with regard to Mr. Pat Cox. Many of us have read the eulogies to his performance in the newspapers over the past few days. He has been an excellent ambassador for Munster, the constituency he represents, over the past 15 years. A senior appointment in Europe for him would be significant as he would be an excellent ambassador for our country. I look forward to seeing some positive development in that regard.

I support the remarks made by Senator McCarthy concerning the Minister chipping away at the powers of local authorities. In the context of speed limits, is the Minister aware that local authorities have an agreement with the Garda and that it must usually approve the speed limit restriction signs before the local authorities implement them? The Minister should not have to chip away at the powers of the local authority because gardaí are already involved and have a significant input.

Reference was made to the excessive salaries of many chief executives in this country. Last weekend the newspapers reported on the chief executives of various banking institutions. I can understand the gall of many people when they consider the advice they received from such bankers on accounts and bogus accounts in the past. Many of those bank officials have been promoted. They earn excessive salaries and this causes much resentment because some people are almost penniless as a result of advice they received.

At last, the earnings of senior programme staff in RTE have been published for 2002. These people receive significant endorsements outside those earnings.