Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I did not interrupt anybody, nor will I. It has been my policy for eight years not to do so and I will not. I would like to be heard.

I would much prefer to have been dealing with important economic issues such as the situation in Greece. I have no interest in pandering to an agenda set by certain elements of the populist media. I quote from an article by John Waters - a good Roscommon man, as I am sure the Minister of State knows - in The Irish Times last Friday, entitled "Media rage at pensions is hugely hypocritical". He states:

Is it just a matter [of] punishing politicians - the nearest available ones - for the alleged sins of other politicians, or is there indeed a principle at stake? If a principle, what is it? That nobody should continue working while receiving a pension? That nobody should continue working for the State while receiving a State pension? In what sense does it matter whether the pension or other income comes from the State or otherwise? Does this mean broadcasters, when they retire from their roles as public prosecutors, will be prohibited from taking up weekend nixers on Lyric FM [or writing for one of the Sunday newspapers]? Or perhaps the "principle" relates to double incomes? If so, there are many more lynchings to come. Soon it may be your turn or mine.

Is there a problem, a Leas-Chathaoirligh?