Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator O'Donovan's call for the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to come to the House for a debate on mariculture and aquaculture. The size of that industry here is less than one tenth of that in Scotland, which illustrates how we have failed to exploit the resource the sea represents for us. Our shipping, fishing, mariculture and aquaculture sectors are a pale reflection of what they could be and we need to lay emphasis on the area. Having listened to the Minister recently I know he has a priority focus on the area and I am sure he would welcome coming to this Chamber for such a debate.

I welcome yesterday's announcement by the Minister with responsibility for public reform and expenditure on adjusting salaries across the public and semi-State sectors. However, it is creating some anomalies. It is inexplicable that hospital consultants would be excluded from that at this stage given that they are earning 50% more than people doing similar jobs in Britain. Of all the professions it is the most skilled and probably should be at the top of the remuneration scale. However, in the current economic climate it is essential that no area of privilege is ignored. The real anomaly is that there has been no announcement from the Minister or any other member of the Government on curtailing legal costs and fees. We are still paying barristers €2,500 a year.