Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I agree with others, especially Senators Mullen, Norris and O'Toole, that we should debate the issue of our expenses and remuneration. I have said many times, most recently on "Morning Ireland" some weeks ago, there should be a reform of the remuneration of the entire public sector including those elected to these Houses, along with the expenses that pertain to all such positions, not least in the Seanad and Dáil, but also at all levels within the Civil Service. That should be done independently as a matter of the utmost urgency because I agree that anger is understandably palpable throughout all sections of civil society. It is incumbent on all of us to deal with the issue decisively and very quickly.

Regarding what Senator O'Sullivan said, my perspective is that our expenses, and all public remuneration whether in RTE or in this House, whether as expenses or otherwise, should be a matter of public record. It should be the case that when expenses are drawn down they are then available on a website, on that day or at that time. Nobody has any issue they should wish to hide. I certainly do not and if it should be the case that it is assessed independently that such expenses should be much lower then so be it. I consider it a great honour to be in this House, and it is as a matter of public service that any of us should be here. I do not believe that any of my colleagues, on any side of the House, are here to make money. However, if an independent assessment finds that our expenses should be significantly less, then so be it. Let us do this as a matter of the utmost urgency. I was particularly taken by Senator O'Toole's suggestion that it should be benchmarked against the private sector.

I appeal to the Leader to initiate any steps that can be taken in this House to encourage social partnership to re-engage in a major way. It should not be for IBEC and employers on the one hand, or the unions on the other, to dictate terms in advance regarding what can or cannot be on the table for discussion. It is incumbent on them and all of us to encourage a process of social partnership. At no other time in the history of the State was it more important to have co-operation and agreement. People from all sides should be locked in a room until agreement is reached. It is in the interests of all of us and was never as important as it is today. I ask that we encourage the process to begin with the utmost urgency.