Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

It has been an effective apologist for the policies of this Fianna Fáil-led Government. I would like to ask the Leader a serious question about the statement made by the Tánaiste yesterday, when she criticised the validity of the bord snip nua report. We all have our views on that report. What has happened to the principle of Cabinet collegiality? The Tánaiste is not alone in criticising the report. Her ministerial colleagues, Deputies Cullen and Ó Cuív, have also criticised the report. The Minister for Finance had to issue a statement to the effect that the McCarthy report is the basis of the Government's thinking in the forthcoming budget. What is the Government's position? Do the comments of various Ministers - I refer in particular to the Tánaiste - represent a concerted effort to undermine the Minister for Finance as he tries to restore order to the public finances? I would like the Leader to answer that question.

I would like to ask the Leader a brief question about the Lisbon treaty referendum campaign. We are all working to get the message out and clarify the issues that have arisen where the treaty has been criticised. The poster suggesting that the minimum wage might be reduced to €1.84 is clever because it contains a question mark.

A lot of people see it but others miss it. The answer to the question is very clear. This country has a minimum wage established by statute. It is a matter for each member state to establish a minimum wage and, if anything, the influence from the European Union tends towards setting it at a reasonable level.