Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator White for sharing time. I refer the Minister of State to the statement by the Minister for Finance of 12 months ago: "Our plan is working. We have turned the corner." The plan has not worked, the corner has been turned but it is called a cul-de-sac. We are now pummelled into the cul-de-sac because of the financial measures taken by the Government. The minimum wage is being cut. In his heart of hearts does the Minister of State believe that cutting the minimum wage by 12% and cutting the Taoiseach's salary by 6% is fair and just? The minimum wage is about the people who need work the most, the low paid and those in casual labour who are predominantly young people. It is a reduction of almost €2,000 per year. This is linked to the issue of political reform. The Government funked it. It missed an opportunity. It could have got rid of Ministers of State and reformed the Dáil but it did not do so.