Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments expressed by the previous speaker on secretarial assistants. In the previous Seanad we all signed a cross-party motion to bring change in this area, but the change has not come. We only have to look at the Bill I introduced which was discussed during Private Members' business yesterday, and which was drafted by my secretarial assistant. That is the level of skill, input, knowledge and experience that goes into our offices. Secretarial assistants do a lot, but on a secretarial assistant's wage. We must bring a similar motion back to the House and agree again on the contents of the motion in light of the make-up of the new Seanad. It is a disgrace that we have not done anything. We talk about equal pay for equal work in these Houses, but we do not implement it within our own institution. That does not make sense.