Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I do not know if the work of the House can be done in a proper manner if the current crisis regarding politicians' expenses is not dealt with quickly. In eight weeks we will be presented with a budget which will probably be the worst in the history of the State. Eight weeks is very little time to discuss issues such as the McCarthy report, the report of the Commission on Taxation and the cut-backs and increased taxes Ministers are proposing. Until we have a clear and open discussion on expenses and deal with that issue the general public will not listen to what is debated in either House.

I ask the Leader to approach the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission with a view to putting Members' expenses on the Oireachtas website in order that there would be no need for freedom of information requests and so called exposures in the media. Let us make this information freely available to the public on the Oireachtas website and let them decide if our expenses are extravagant. There have been abuses of expenses at the top of the Government which are being drip-fed by the media, creating unbelievable anger. There is a tsunami of anger against the Government which is percolating down to every politician and public representative. This is unfair on the majority of politicians who perform a public service, which we are proud to do. There must be a clear and open debate on the issue soon. If the media need more information, it should be put on the Oireachtas website in order that the people can decide. If other Ministers have been extravagant with taxpayers' money, let them do the honourable thing and resign. This issue is having a detrimental effect on public debate of important issues.