David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree completely with what my colleague Senator Barrett stated on Irish Water. I listened with great interest and amusement to the spokesperson, a woman, speaking about it and denying the fact there were any bonuses. She said there was performance related remuneration. Performance related remuneration equals bonus, and let us be honest about it. This is a fact. Bonuses are being paid. As a result of how local authority staff were taken over, there are 2,000 surplus workers. We are paying 2,000 people to do nothing. A very large number of people are on between €100,000 and €150,000, and it is the same in the Civil Service. Here we are, elected Members of the Parliament, the rulers of the country, who receive approximately €60,000, all of which must be vouched and vetted and we must tap in. We are lackeys. We do not have respect for ourselves. We should be looking for a proper wage and proper conditions. Get rid of all the allowances and have everything vouched.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 12, Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2014 – First Stage., be taken before No. 1. The Bill is entitled "an Act to provide for the regularisation of the residency status of persons who have applied for refugee status and/or subsidiary protection if four years following the submission of such an application the application remains undetermined and to provide for related matters". I understand Senator Ó Murchú has agreed to second this amendment.