Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

At approximately this time last year when the Taoiseach was elected and the Government formed, the programme for Government included a commitment to tackle wasteful expenditure across the public service. I have seen nothing in that regard and I ask that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who has responsibility in this area, should attend the House to debate the issue. He should explain why nothing has happened and the House can then explore what might be done in this regard.

A newspaper article today points out that the State gives an estimated €1.5 billion per annum to disability sector organisations and to other NGOs. It points out that one person in an administrative position is receiving a salary of €234,000 and others are getting almost €200,000. It is unconscionable that hard pressed taxpayers should have their money taken every week so that the State can pay it on to people who are on salaries that are multiples of what those poor people, who are struggling to make ends meet, are getting. It is not right and should be discontinued. Even though the State may decide it cannot intervene in salary levels, he, who controls the purse, controls what goes on in those organisations. This also applies in the human rights and equality sectors. A whole industry has developed and people are creaming off huge salaries that they would not be able to secure in the private sector.

Le críochnú, ba mhaith liom aontú leis an méid atá ráite ag na Seanadóirí mar gheall ar an dualgas atá orainn an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Mar sin, iarraim ar an Cheannaire gur féidir go gcuirfeadh sé aistriú ar Riar na hOibre ar maidin chun ábhar amháin a bheidh ar an chlár amárach, lá na Gaeilge. Tá sé oiriúnach dúinn sin a dhéanamh agus molfaidh mise é má dhéanann sé sin.