Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I sincerely thank Senator Norris for the comments he has just made. He is 100% correct. I am extremely annoyed about this entire situation and for the Members of this House. They are not getting a fair crack of the whip and have not for many years. A number of Senators in this House, the Cathaoirleach included when he was not in his current position, run offices but what do they get towards the running of that office? They get nothing. Those of us who run a full-time office, as I do, must go out and fund-raise. I do not get a cent. I am paid by the taxpayer and I believe I am entitled to give a service. I should not receive a salary and expenses and sit in the comfort of my own house or wherever and give nothing back to the people. That is wrong, but what are the Members of this House getting towards that? They get nothing. When we pick up our phone to call our constituents we are liable to ring every STD code in the country because that is the diversity of our electorate yet we receive approximately 25% less towards that than Members of the other House, and more luck to the Members of the other House. By all means let us have transparency and openness but we must see where the balance lies. The Members of this House have been short-changed for a very long time. I have no problem with whatever regime is put in place to verify my attendance. I am always here. I know many Members of both sides of the House who are always here. By all means let us have this exposé or whatever it is. I have no problem with it.

On another matter, I again ask the Leader to exhort the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to come to the House for a debate on insurance premia. Since I raised the matter previously I have been contacted by a number of people. The hikes in insurance premia in recent times are not sustainable and as a House of Parliament we cannot stand idly by, let it happen and do nothing about it. It is outrageous.

The motor trade is on its knees. A scrappage scheme for cars should be introduced. I will not determine the age of the cars that should be included because it depends on the way people look after their cars. I would welcome a debate on that issue too.