Today, the Taoiseach will ram through his legislation for the highest number of super junior and junior Ministers in the history of the State. I refer to the jobs-for-the-boys-and-girls Bill that will give rise to bumper top-ups in salaries and expenses for all involved, including a pay hike of €45,000, additional expenses of €32,000 and salaries of €200,000 for super junior Ministers. The divvying up of this power is, of course, part of the grubby deal the Government struck with Deputy Michael Lowry. I do not think anyone who came out to vote last November believed that what this country needs is a record number of junior and super junior Ministers; far from it. To make matters worse, the Government is guillotining the debate. It does not want the space for Opposition to call it out on this. This is the worst type of gravy train politics and the Taoiseach needs to bring it to a halt or, at a minimum, allow for a full debate in the House without a guillotine.

I disagree fundamentally with the Deputy's assertions. Our population has increased dramatically, in contrast to the time when the Constitution was formulated. The range of issues we are dealing with now is far in excess of what would have been the case in previous times. We have far greater challenges in respect of climate, biodiversity, the energy agenda and the marine ecosystem across the board, from maritime security to ecotourism to fisheries.

That requires a Minister of State. I make no apologies for saying that. The immigration issue is at a level that is having a huge impact on the State and it requires a Minister of State. We are ageing demographically as a people. We need to plan more appropriately for it and it needs a focus. It requires a Minister of State as well.