Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept that the functions of that body should exclude Members of this House. It does not involve increasing the cost of the Exchequer but scrutinising and monitoring. There are many Members in this House who would be prepared to do this. Most of us would agree that Senator Sean Barrett, for example, would be a very valued member of the committee and make a good input.

Will the Leader consider this matter and also the continuing discrimination of Members of this House, who recently received a mandate from the people, and Members of the other House with regard to a range of allowances? It is only when one starts doing one's returns that one sees the disparity. There is no justification whatsoever for what is occurring. I ask the CPP and the Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann to examine these issues. I do not mind if allowances are scaled back but there should be no disparity or discrimination between Members of this Houses with regard to these issues.