John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

The 1932 Fianna Fáil Government under Éamon de Valera came into power at the beginning of the Great Depression in Europe. What marked that Government out as successful was that Éamon de Valera started by saying that because of the financial crisis at the time, nobody should be paid more than £1,000 a year. This was a lot of money at the time. That Government went on to ensure that as much as possible there was fairness and equity. These times are not as bad as the Great Depression but this is the most serious financial crisis that this country has faced since then. It is probably not appropriate that bonuses are paid at this time. I ask the Deputy Leader to make a request to the Minister to see if arrangements could be made under the Croke Park agreement for an examination of the bonus structure.

I support Senator MacSharry's call in connection with Elite Marketing Ltd. This company has produced a document which states that Irish investment houses and advisers are being heavily incentivised to keep money in Ireland. This is a very serious statement. The company must back up that statement or else withdraw it because of the impression it gives abroad about this country. What it says matters. Things can take flight and words have meaning and they are damaging the Irish economy. I suggest that Elite Marketing Ltd. be brought to book for what it is suggesting about the Irish economy.