Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I join my colleagues in congratulating the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, on implementing a budget decision of the late Deputy Brian Lenihan to impose a cap on Civil Service and semi-State pay. I am disappointed he has not gone further but it is important to acknowledge the Secretaries General throughout the Civil Service who have taken voluntary pay cuts. They should be an example to people throughout the senior levels of the semi-State sector. Like my colleague, Senator Ó Domhnaill, I do not understand why the ESB has not been included. I do not know whether other similar chief executives are on similar money to the chief executive of the ESB. I doubt it very much.

With regard to the matter I raised on the Adjournment yesterday on the Croke Park agreement, it would be important to have a full debate on the House. I asked why pension costs of retiring public servants were not included in the first progress report.