Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom nótáil i dtaobh an díospóireacht a bhí againn aréir gur ceann de na rudaí is dearfaí a tháinig amach as an díospóireacht sin ná an méid Gaeilge a labhradh le linn na díospóireachta. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis na Seanadóirí a d'úsáid an Ghaeilge le linn na díospóireachta, ach níos mó ná sin, ba mhaith liom tréaslú leis na Seanadóirí a d'úsáid na cluasáin le linn na díospóireachta le go mbeadh siad in ann tuiscint céard a bhí na daoine a bhí ag labhairt i nGaeilge a rá. Maith sibh agus tá súil agam go leanfar le sin.

I seek a debate on ministerial expenses. It has come to light that Ministers are literally taking us to the cleaners by claiming up to €3,500 in expenses for dry cleaning their clothes. We are not giving extra money to people on the dole or in receipt of pensions for their dry cleaning. Carers do not seem to get money to do their dry cleaning. Students do not get extra money to cover their washing and drying. Why should a Minister who already receives a hefty salary receive up to €3,500 per year for cleaning clothes? It is an absolute scandal. The Government told us that the regime was going to change but plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, as they say in France. A debate on ministerial expenses would also allow us to ask whether it is working out cheaper now that we do not have ministerial cars. How much is being spent on ministerial transport under the new regime? How much are special advisers costing and how many of them are being paid more than the cap that was supposedly being imposed on salaries?