Since the Government was elected for a third time three months ago, it has created three new Ministers of State, established new committees with chairs, vice chairs and convenors and introduced legislation to facilitate a former Minister in claiming his pension. There is nothing wrong with this as it is fair that people can claim their pensions but it would be nice if it was extended to former gardaí and old age pensioners and not confined to Ministers. The Government also proposes to give its members substantial pay increases that would make the Taoiseach the highest paid head of government in the world. By any standards this amounts to feathering one's own nest, particularly when there are cutbacks in the health service, child care and other areas of public services. Is the taxpayer getting value for money with regard to these increases?

I am delighted to see that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has joined us as it gives me the opportunity to use him as an example. Last week, a report from his Department informed us that senior officials, including the Secretary General of the Department of Transport and the Secretary of the Government, knew about the Shannon issue. It appears everyone knew about this matter except the Minister with governmental responsibility for it. Even if we believe all of this, the kindest thing we can say about the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is that he is not on top of his job.

Even by the normal standards of incompetence set by the Government, the Minister's performance since last Thursday takes the biscuit. On Thursday, he told people who must wait months for a driving licence that they have four days to get such a licence or get off the road.

I did not.

On Friday, the Minister pulled back somewhat and on Saturday he said the plan would proceed and that the Garda must be sensible in implementing it. Then on Sunday, when faced with the inevitable, he climbed down on the issue.

The Deputy should get his facts right.

For all of this, the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, will receive an extra €25,666 per annum. Why is the taxpayer being asked to give the Minister this pay increase of €500 per week and what will he do to earn it?

He will deal with the matter of the electronic voting machines.

Deputy Gilmore has used his time to ask questions on Aer Lingus, the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, pensions and transport but I am only allowed to answer one. Which one would the Ceann Comhairle like me to answer?

In which area does the Taoiseach represent value for money?

The Taoiseach should answer the question I asked.

I am sure the Taoiseach is excellent at multiple choice.

Why is the Minister responsible for these screw ups receiving an extra €500 per week?

I presume the question then relates to the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The body was established almost 40 years ago and is an independent entity that has the primary function of advising the Government on these matters. Deputy Gilmore will be aware of this as in his trade union days relativity was used regarding people in the review body and senior trade union representatives. This most recent report covered the Civil Service, local authorities, health boards, non-commercial State bodies, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, hospital consultants, members of the Judiciary and political office holders. Some 95% of the report related to the various grades while 5% related to political office holders, although one would not have thought so given the events of recent days.

The pay review that took place for senior positions is the first since 2000 and I note that the report suggests a reversion to a four year gap between reviews. I think this is correct because the longer one allows to pass between reviews, the greater increases that would be small for the majority of people can seem. I leave myself out of this because I accept that I have received a huge pay increase.

The Taoiseach will be gone before the next review.

The Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector is important in how it affects pensions.

I agree but I will say nothing. The Minister, Deputy Dempsey, has received a pay increase as have all Ministers.

Regarding Aer Lingus, the official report of what happened has been released. Pension legislation has been explained well elsewhere.

On last week's decision, we stated on Thursday that everything could be done, with the order signed, by Tuesday. However, we are fair people and it was clear that it would not be possible for the 430,000 people affected to comply.

Is the Taoiseach suggesting it was possible on Thursday but not on Friday?

When did the Taoiseach discover this?

In holding the office of Taoiseach one sees a good deal of hypocrisy. One day people complain about the number of drivers that are on the road without complying with the law, while the next day they bemoan the fact that a law must be complied with. Perhaps some day the Opposition will make up its mind. The truth is the Opposition says "Yes" to whoever approaches it.

The Taoiseach is very good at such behaviour.

The Deputy will say "Yes" to whoever asks him a question without defending anybody or making a decision.

That is how Fianna Fáil operates.

The decision made by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, means that in a matter of months there probably will be a greater degree of compliance with traffic regulations in the country than ever before.

Will the Taoiseach sit the tests with them?

Several hundred thousand tests will be conducted in the given period.