Shane Ross (Independent)

I thank Senator Quinn for sharing his time. I listened to what he had to say about the comment he made on this issue 25 years ago. I am sorry to say my memory goes back to about that time also. I have news for the House. This is not the first time such a motion has been introduced . In 1986, almost 24 years ago to the day, I introduced almost an identical motion to the one before the House. We had a Fine Gael led Government at the time. Guess who voted against my motion? The answer is Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. It is the nature of the Opposition to propose such reforms and it is the nature of the Government to oppose them. However, I remind the House that the Opposition today was in that position at that time and took the view that there should be no change in ministerial pensions being taken by sitting Members. With that in mind, I take the view that it is right now. The Opposition has changed and reformed. That is fine. However, I refer to those from both sides, especially the Fianna Fáil side, who maintain this is media led. I agree with them; they are right, but one must remember that sometimes the media are right as well. From time to time the media get it right. Sometimes the mob is right although it may behave in a way that is not acceptable. I understand it behaves in a way which is not acceptable on many occasions but it does not mean that a cause it champions, such as this one, is not right. Simply because the media leads a campaign, does not mean the media is wrong. I believe this cause is media led and the media has led those who have tabled the motion today. That may not be a laudable or commendable way of behaving but that is the reality. I cannot turn my back on what I believed in 25 years ago. Neither Fianna Fáil nor Fine Gael believed me at the time, although to its credit the Labour Party voted for the motion, as did the Independents. The Labour Party split with the Government at the time.

We should look upon this with a certain degree of scepticism, even though the principles behind it are probably correct. It is indefensible that people should hold a pension at the same time as holding a job in one of the Houses. The reaction at that time by the Government was to set up a committee. That is not the reaction we have seen tonight. The motion is simply being voted down. However I call on the Government to respond to this and to commit to reforming the system properly. It should not hide behind the Attorney General. There are ways of getting around that issue and the Government had no need to seek the Attorney General's opinion.