Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Like all colleagues in the House, in the last few days I have been visiting people's homes while canvassing for the election. The single clear reaction I have discerned in every estate and among every socioeconomic group is that there is a demand for fairness. The demand is that until we remove bonuses, prune top salaries, including those in the Oireachtas, get rid of cronyism and cartels, eliminate waste and, most specifically, do away with obscene salaries above acceptance levels in contemporary Ireland, be they in broadcasting or elsewhere, we cannot and should not subject ordinary people to the hardship associated with the universal service charge and all the cuts made. That is the message from every home I have visited. People want fairness. The Leader should convey this message to the top level of Government and it should be incorporated into the Finance Bill. We need action.