Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I join with colleagues, led by Senator Fitzgerald, who expressed concern about what is happening today. Today is the culmination of a dreadful process and represents a dark and disturbing day in our history. While we must recognise its gravity, we must try to progress from here. It merits repeating that the advice of Fine Gael on Anglo Irish Bank should have been taken. The advice of Fine Gael on the economy should have been taken. It is not wrong to repeat that because the public needs to hear it. Based on my experience of meeting people over the summer in their homes, on the streets and at clinics, people need to see tangible evidence that top salaries in the public service and the banks in this country will be capped and the bonus system will stop. Senator Buttimer's point yesterday about the lowly paid public servants is correct. If it does not end, we cannot maintain the confidence of people in any rectification. There must be clear evidence we are dealing with waste and quangos. Department by Department, State board by State board, there should be an audit of areas of waste and expenditure. That can be achieved without affecting frontline services. There is an abomination of waste in this country and if audited and eliminated, we could correct the finances.