Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for his overview of this brief Bill. I recognise what the Minister is trying to achieve. Stabilising the cost of the public service is a goal we all share while at the same time supporting the democratic process by means of the support payments that are made to political parties for research, training and so forth. I welcome that because we all have parliamentary activities to pursue.

I welcome what the Minister is doing in regard to the corporate level and the leader's allowance as it applies to Independents. Of course, everything must be audited; we respect that. We also respect the Minister's efforts to restore trust, which is very difficult. Other speakers have referred to how we are regarded among the public. Unfortunately, it is not in a great light. This House was under a cloud during the recent referendum campaign but, thank God, all of that has been settled. We have equal parliamentary activities as legislators with the other House. The Minister probably knows what I intend to say as we have corresponded about it, along with the other Whip. I have been cast in the role of something of a shop steward by virtue of the position I am honoured to hold in the House, but I feel for all Senators and particularly for those who reside in areas outside Dublin.

Dublin based Senators have the use of offices here on a Monday and Friday but it is otherwise for Members who live in far flung rural parts. We are engaged in the business of being legislators and, particularly in rural areas, there is more usage of the parliamentarian or public representative by the people. People are more inclined to seek them out. I have had much experience of that, particularly in the recent past since the referendum was held. Indeed, that can be seen in the number of e-mails and texts we receive. We have issues and queries on which we must consult the Minister, his colleagues and Ministers of State on a daily and weekly basis. It is a minor issue in the overall scheme of things because we are very supportive of the Bill and the Minister's overall aim but I appeal to the Minister for a level playing pitch. I respect what Deputies and Senators do, but there are huge overlaps. Being from the deep south west, I can see that. I am sure Senator O'Donovan, Senator Bradford, Senator Cummins, Senator O'Keeffe, Senator Sheahan and others see that too.

I very much welcome what Senator Norris touched on, namely, an independent, objective assessment. It is invidious for the Minister to have to do that. It is very difficult. He should let an independent assessor come in and set the right level. Everybody needs a work space. We will not be here on Mondays and Fridays. The Minister will be approached on Saturdays. That is the custom in the country. One can get telephone calls or a visitor can call to one's house on a Sunday.