Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien has raised a reasonable question here today on the remuneration of some senior bank officials. One hears this point from people on the street and I believe the Government's opinion is exactly the same. I have never met anyone, apart perhaps from the officials themselves, who would try to justify the figures, which without question are outrageous. I accept that even were they lower, it would not make any significant difference to the balance sheet of the State. Surely, however, that is not the issue because it was agreed from the outset that austerity would be spread across the board. People at the very lowest level of income have been obliged to bear the burden of such austerity. What I find difficult to understand, this also is from where Senator O'Brien is coming, is that while everyone is clear on this position, these officials come across as the untouchables. I cannot understand how this can be the case because ultimately, they would not have a job had not the taxpayers bailed out the banks. This is the logic of what Members are dealing with in this regard and if there is an opportunity for the Minister to indicate the feeling that is abroad among the taxpayers - which I believe to be shared right across the board - such an opportunity should not be lost. Senator O'Brien also has raised this point but if there is some protocol or something about this debate that Members do not understand, they should be told what it is. On the face of it, however, Members have a difficulty with the remuneration some of the aforementioned officials are receiving. Unless a specific opportunity is availed of, such as that which now arises in which the Minister can quite clearly vote against such remuneration, there will always be people who are suffering and who feel dissatisfied with the manner in which these officials genuinely are getting away.

I ask the Leader to try to find out precisely what is the position. He might ascertain the reason Members are left in a cul-de-sac and no answers are forthcoming. He might try to find out the reason there is no logic to this debate - because there is none - and therefore unless answers are found, I genuinely believe the ordinary person in the street will not continue to bear the austerity measures with the patience and fortitude I have shown. There is no patience, no fortitude and absolutely no generosity on the part of the officials involved. This matter should be tackled straight away and if the Minister is not in a position to express people's dissatisfaction on behalf of the State and if there is some reason for this, Members should have a full debate in this House on the matter to tease out precisely the reason we find ourselves in this position. I compliment Senator O'Brien on bringing forward this matter in the Seanad today.