David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

As the Minister of State knows, we are trying to be consistent in this. Our position is that the salaries of those at the top of the public sector should be capped at €100,000. If he read our pre-budget submission, which I am sure he did, the Minister of State will know we have also called for a reduction in the pay of Deputies and Senators. In addition, we are seeking the establishment of a commission to examine public sector pay in order to ensure it is appropriate.

I am in favour of balance. However, there is little evidence of balance in recent days in terms of how families will struggle to cope with Government measures. The Minister of State saw evidence of that last night on the television programme in which he participated. We are talking about serious impacts for the communities and individuals most affected by the cuts, whether they be carers or people requiring care, older people, students or whatever. There is no balance for these people. All they see is cut after cut, with four austerity budgets by the previous Government followed now by the first austerity budget under this Government.