Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Táim ag éirí le tacú leis an leasú atá á chur chun cinn ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Barrett. Aontaíonn Sinn Féin leis an mbun-phrionsabal átá sé á chur chun - nár chóir go mbeimis ag glacadh le haicme áirithe den phobal atá ag déanamh go maith agus iad ag fágáil daoine eile faoi chois ar bhealach aicmiúil.

I stand in support of the amendment from my colleague, Senator Barrett, and we agree with the thrust of his argument. Sinn Féin policy is to ensure that all people are treated equally and everybody gets a fair crack at the whip. In no state should there be a position where the citizens are put in second place to an elite group, cartel or golden circle of any sort. Considering the Moriarty, McCracken and Mahon tribunal findings, there is a sense in the community and among people in general that this has been happening. We often get castigated by more conservative economic groups about Sinn Féin's economic policy but our idea is to examine the levels of pay in the Civil Service, bring them to more equitable levels and tax people who make more money in order to bring down their level of pay. We also wish to introduce wealth taxes, etc.

We note some of the reasons given by the Government, for example, for having to pay so much to chief executives in the likes of Bank of Ireland, such as a fear that they could go to a public sector job that would pay as much. We could debate the amount paid to certain heads of semi-State organisations, with some being paid up to €500,000 per year. We are told if those people went to the private sector, they would find pay of equal standing. If we followed Sinn Féin's policy, which includes introducing a 48% tax rate or taxing those with more than €1 million in wealth, it would make this State much more competitive. Most importantly, it would bring down overheads for citizens and the cost of business. Leaving the citizens at the heart of the argument is vital in this debate.

Senator Barrett is absolutely correct in saying that any activity of this sort, which is detrimental to the citizen, creates an elite or a position where people are locked out of a market or prices increase to suit an elite, must be tackled. The Competition Authority must be given the wherewithal to do that on our behalf, and the Government should move on the actions of the authority. Táimid ag tacú leis an moladh atá á chur chun cinn ag an Seanadóir Barrett.