Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I am struck by the consensus across the House on the profligacy and overpayments in the banking sector. I was particularly impressed by the contribution of Senator Bradford who made clear the need for both ethics and morality in public life and corporate governance. This House could do worse than start a strong campaign in that regard. The abuse of privilege in many sectors of the economy is stark.

It was reported yesterday in The Irish Times that payments to three members of the Moriarty tribunal, Mr. Healy, Ms O'Brien and Mr. Coughlan, in the year ending February 2010, totalled €966,804, €993,729 and €842,840, respectively. The tribunal appears to be in a serious state. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance who hold the two most responsible and challenging positions in the country receive less than one quarter of what the people mentioned were paid last year. It is an absolute scandal. Unfortunately, I had cause to raise the issue on previous occasions. In 2004 the Government decided that the fees payable to senior counsel would be reduced to €969 by March 2007. This would have meant that the aforementioned individuals would have been paid approximately €350,000 to €400,000. Even these payments would be at least €100,000 greater than the earnings of the most skilful surgeons working in our hospitals who arguably do a much more challenging job. The chairman of the tribunal wrote to the Government to point out that, in the interests of keeping the tribunals functional, the proposed reduction should not be implemented. That was a disgrace. I seek guidance from the Chair on how we can discuss the Moriarty tribunal without getting into difficulties. The time has come for the Houses to debate that body which continues to deal with issues that should have been finalised a decade ago and costs the State and the taxpayer an alarming amount of money.