Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

There has been much discussion today on competitiveness and the remarks made on the radio by the Tánaiste this morning. However, the Leader should ask the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to explain the reason she has announced a salary of €240,000 for hospital consultants on this side of the Border when consultants are paid £100,000 north of the Border for doing more or less the same job.