CONDEMNING the "complete surrender" by the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, to the public service unions, Mr Shane Ross (FG) wondered if it marked the total domination of the Government by the Labour Party and the left.
The new pay deal for public service workers was possibly the most irresponsible decision taken by a Minister for Finance since 1977, Mr Ross said. It made the Fianna Fail Party's bribery of the electorate, almost 20 years ago, look like a minor birthday present.
Mr Pat Magner (Lab) said Mr Ross obviously had instructions from Independent Newspapers which obliged him to take this tack. "I assure him every time he attacks the Labour Party the membership increases."
Mr Joe Sherlock (DL) declared that it was the last straw for him that a Senator who was paid a substantial salary by a newspaper should come into the House to attack voters and public service unions when he felt like it. Mr Ross should be suspended from the Seanad because of his own negligible attendance.
Mr John Dardis (PD): "Senator Ross is now a very happy man."
Mr Manning ruefully thanked Mr Ross for his "very helpful contribution. He has a talent for helping his friends. But he made a serious point and it will be conveyed to the Minister for Finance. Someone else can convey it to the Taoiseach."