Derek McDowell (Labour)

I accept what the Minister of State said, that this is not within the scope of the Bill. I am not suggesting that huge bonuses should be paid at the end of any given year, but Senator Mansergh picked a good example in the EU Presidency. There would be nothing wrong with some tangible reward — nobody is talking about anything outlandish — being given to those who performed roles of particular importance and usefulness to the State. At a certain point in the system, perhaps at principal officer level, individual personnel managers should be vested with the power to give that extra reward to individuals in particular circumstances. To that extent I am with the Progressive Democrats on that point.