Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The ASTI and the INTO did. Let us not come in here and divide people. The crashing of a cement truck into the gates of Leinster House this morning was a symbol of the anger of the people, although it was not right. If we were in France, Greece or Spain, our streets would be full of people.

I note that on today's Order Paper, under the heading of non-statutory papers laid before the Seanad on page 928, there are six items dealing with the appointment of special advisers to Ministers. Are these new appointments? What about the moratorium on public sector recruitment? Why are these items buried in the Order Paper? They may be legitimate appointments. They are items Nos. 43 to 45, inclusive, and Nos. 51 and 52. Who are these people and what are they being appointed for? How much are they paid?

The problem is that we have a two-tier public sector, with fat cats on the top level and ordinary workers on the bottom level who are being pilloried and made into sacrificial lambs. Let us not divide our country more. Our people want change and they want leadership. They are not getting it from the Government, which is like a clapped-out three-wheel bike being propped up by the Green Party and a few Independents. Fianna Fáil does not know what it is doing. Let us have a real debate about public sector reform.