Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

The Minister was contained in that she had to accept - as a Minister does - the advice of the Attorney General who advises the Government. Listening to the programme, it was a little disingenuous of the presenter not to have had a more rigorous debate.

In support of my colleague, Senator MacSharry, and as I stated last week, the higher paid in society, particularly in the public service, should pay more than the lower paid. There is an enormous difference between taking 10% from a person earning €30,000 and taking the same percentage from someone earning €300,000. I mention, in particular, a group of workers who have the protection of the Constitution in regard to their salaries, not all of whom have made a voluntary contribution. At this very difficult time for the economy when everything is on the table everyone has a role to play-----