Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael)

I find myself disagreeing absolutely with a Senator on one item, while agreeing with the same Senator on another. The Taoiseach has unquestionably stepped up to the mark in the past six or seven months in dealing with the massive economic crisis facing the country. I have absolute faith that he will carry us through the next four or five years, with our colleagues in the Labour Party, in particular the Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore. I refute any suggestion that he has shown an incapacity to do the job.

On bankers' pay, I absolutely support the suggestion the Minister for Finance should come to the Seanad. I did not see the job in AIB advertised anywhere and there is no doubt that it will be one of the old pals in the banking sector who will get it. To think of anybody getting more than €500,000 - or that anybody would even request to have the rate of pay increased - is incredible. I, therefore, ask the Leader to request the Minister for Finance to come before us in order that we can put a stop to this once and for all. There should be no increase in pay for these fellows, as they have done enough damage already. Our position is bad enough without them looking for even more money.