Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Last year, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party voted to end the Christmas bonus that gave those in need of a helping hand to prepare for Christmas and buy essential food and clothes for the holiday period. We were told the country could no longer afford the bonus but that if there was the slightest possibility money could be found, the bonuses would be paid. We know now those bonuses will not be paid this year either to people on social welfare, but what has emerged by way of a parliamentary question tabled by one of my colleagues is that we have a culture of bonuses being paid across the public sector. What is the response of the Deputy Leader to what has emerged today regarding the more than 100 officials in the Department of Finance who receive bonuses? Do the Green Party Ministers support the culture of bonuses and what action have they taken in that regard? Did they know about these bonuses or has it come as a surprise to them today? The situation is a reflection on the kind of Government we have had over recent years. We get only a drip feed of information on this culture and use of public money.

Yesterday when I raised the issue of the AIB bonuses, I asked what else was happening that we did not know about and what other behind the scenes agreements existed over which the Government was presiding. One day later, we have clear evidence about what has been happening. People want political reform and they are disgusted by what they hear with regard to bonuses at a time when those who are most vulnerable face cutbacks. I said in the House last week that the budget needed to be fair and equitable. What we have heard today demonstrates there is no culture of fairness or equality in the Government.

In passing, I would like to mention how the House was dealt with yesterday.