Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

Senator Harris is correct that we need to examine this from the top down. However, it is not a question of someone making a voluntary contribution here or not taking a remuneration there. For example, there is a need for Members in both Houses, and Ministers, to take a significant pay cut. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Cullen, sent out the wrong signal recently, flying around Ireland in an Air Corps helicopter to attend one meeting in Killarney. Former Ministers receiving pensions while still Members also sends out a wrong signal. These are small issues but they matter much to ordinary people.

The Fine Gael spokesperson on finance, Deputy Richard Bruton, has put forward his ideas on resolving the wider economic issues. There was a certain amount of sneering and smart-aleckness in the way the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance asked the Opposition to assist them in tackling the economic crisis but then did not take up offers of co-operation. If that is the way they want to play, we can easily withdraw our co-operation. We are still trying to keep the country's interests at the top of the agenda.

There are small and large matters that can be addressed with regard to banking and the perception of how Ministers carry on. The Minister of State should be taking these amendments on board.