Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Yesterday I raised the fiasco of the new rules for provisional driving licences, the recent inordinate salary increases the Government chose to award itself which bear no comparison with those applicable in other member states of the European Union or even the United States, and the legislation for an individual's pension entitlements. I indicated that this characterised a Government which was arrogant, applied low standards and within a very short time in power, displayed sheer incompetence. I also indicated there was no check on the excesses of this Government in that the minority parties who are supporting the Government were not in any case providing that check.

I refer to the vote on the Markets and Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill and in particular on section 16. I thank the Green Party Senators for absconding from that vote and not voting with the Government.