Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

As today is International Day against Torture, I acknowledge and pay tribute to all those who work in this area and who highlight human rights violations. Equally, I pay tribute to a former Member of this House, Dr. Maurice Manning, who heads the Irish Human Rights Commission, together with his team. The commission has done Trojan work during its first ten years. I wish its staff, as well as everyone else who works in this area, continued success and good wishes on this special day.

I listened with interest to a number of Members who spoke in respect of a debate on the economy. I look forward to such a debate taking place. There appears to be a certain focus on industry leaders and their pay and salary scales are being cherry-picked. I recognise, appreciate and welcome those who have taken great risks and who have placed their families at great risk. They took financial risks and helped fuel the economy. Moreover, they generated wealth and contributed to the redistribution of that wealth. I would like to think that recognition will be given to such people during the debate on the economy.

Members received something of a lecture today from the Sinn Féin Member, Senator Doherty, on the squandering by Fianna Fáil of the country's money and wealth in recent years and on its failure to cherish the family or the children. If any political party is responsible for not cherishing the family or the child, it is not on this side of the House. Speaking on International Day against Torture, other people in this House, who are neither on this side of the House nor in the main Opposition parties, have questions to answer in that regard.