John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

It is clear that quite specific wording was used in this section to include everything rather than what is suggested. This includes salary and additional payments. Remuneration is the widest possible word to include all payments. This is absolutely correct. Gratuitously offensive remarks by the Opposition do not help. I refer to the words used by Members opposite, who referred to huge numbers of public servants earning less than €30,000. Their own words explain the need for the 5% reduction. It is because there are only hundreds who receive large pay, while thousands are earning €30,000 or less. In the UK, people on £8,000 pay tax. We have had a negative tax wedge for those on low pay for years. Those who can understand complex political concepts, such as the d'Hondt arrangement, fail to see the very obvious, that only hundreds of people are on very large salaries and that we cannot get €1.3 billion in savings from these. It is impossible.