Seanad report: The reality of what Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin had said recently was that Fianna Fáil Ministers had to be paid in order not to accept bribes, Eugene Regan, Fine Gael spokesman on justice, said.
Ms Hanafin had said that Ministers had to be paid well so that they were not susceptible to outside interference, said Mr Regan.
He had been surprised and disturbed by the statement, because they had been assured many times that the bad old days of Fianna Fáil corruption were gone. However, Ms Hanafin had been speaking in a current context and she had raised the issue of outside interference.
He wanted to know what the objective basis was of her statement. "Are there cases where Ministers have been approached with suggestions of monies for corrupt decisions? It is important to know what gave rise to this comment. In reality, what she is saying is that Fianna Fáil Ministers have to be paid in order not to accept bribes. I just question whether that is official party policy. Is it official Government policy?"
Cecilia Keaveney (FF): "This is pathetic."
Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan intervened to say that Mr Regan had made his point for a debate.
Mr Regan said Ms Hanafin should come to the House to explain her statement.
Ms Keaveney asked if he was accusing his constituency colleague of corruption.
Mr Regan said that if he understood the Minister correctly, then her viewpoint might be included in the terms of reference of the review body on higher remuneration.
Larry Butler (FF): "What about the Senator looking at his own party before he starts to look at ours."
Ivor Callely (FF) accused Mr Regan of being consistently mischievous and vindictive in the manner in which he cherry-picked certain issues.
House leader Donie Cassidy said that any debate on standards in public office would, as far as he was concerned, include all political parties.
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The Civil Service should adopt a policy of recruiting immigrants, Lisa McDonald (FF) said. The Garda had shown the way in this regard.
Joe O'Toole (Ind) said that immigration was good for this country and was necessary for its development.
Minister of State for Integration Conor Lenihan said a successful integration approach required the contribution of all sectors of civic society.