Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I am asking for the Taoiseach to come to the House to explain why the Fianna Fáil-led Government, in its dying days, is going to fill 300 vacancies with its pals. Has the Government not learned anything from the mistakes in the banking sector and from the way the economy has plummeted through the lack of regulation and the cosy cartels involving members in the Government benches? That is the reality.

In the budget, debated in both Houses, the Government again missed an opportunity to reform the political system. It funked it regarding salaries and the lavish expenses of Ministers and their entourage. It did not have the bottle to introduce a referendum on Seanad abolition. It has no credibility on reform. This morning it is carrying on as if it were business as normal. It is not business as normal.

Senator O'Toole's point on Ryanair is very valid. The Government was wrong to introduce the travel tax. It reduced it by 70%, in fairness to it, but it still kept it. Is the Government serious about working with the stakeholders in the aviation industry to bring tourists into this country? If so, it will take up Senator O'Toole's proposition and meet Mr. O'Leary. More important, the Leader will arrange a meeting between Mr. O'Leary and the Minister. While we know Mr. O'Leary's relationship with the Government is bad, the Leader could be a bridge builder to bring in more tourists to this country.