Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator James Reilly referred to the coastal walk in Fingal, the national greenway and the good work being done by Councillor Tom O'Leary. The point made about having a national greenway fund is one we should all support. Based on the work being done in Waterford and other parts of the country, such a fund would be of immense benefit under the umbrella of Healthy Ireland in achieving better health outcomes.

Senator Rónán Mullen referred to the HSE conference. I did not receive all of the information he received. It is probably a matter for discussion in a Commencement debate than in a debate in the House, but I agree with the Senator that where there is the expenditure of taxpayers' money, there must be transparency and accountability. I am sure he will agree with me that this applies to all conferences in respect of which taxpayers' money is spent. Some of the fees about which he spoke seem to be lucrative. I wonder whether we could both join the speaking circuit to make a few bob as it is certainly seems to be very attractive. A fee of €11,500 to speak at a conference is-----