SEANAD REPORT:THE CONTAGION of excess payments to special advisers had spread to the presidency, Jim Walsh (FF) said.

One such person, appointed to the staff of President Michael D Higgins, was on a salary €20,000 above the designated level, he added. Taoiseach Enda Kenny, said Mr Walsh had set the tone by agreeing to salaries for advisers in excess of the Government’s guidelines.

Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke (FG) said the office of the President was above debate in the House.

Mr Walsh said the enhanced payments to advisers were being made at a time when social welfare cuts were being made.

Asked by Denis O’Donovan (FF) if a specific time frame was being set for the Smithwick Tribunal, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said he hoped there would not be a need to extend its life beyond October 31st next. The estimated cost of the tribunal to date was €9.8 million, he said.

However, he understood there would be issues of costs relating to representation of individuals before the tribunal that might have to be addressed in the future.

Mr Shatter said the tribunal’s cost had been significant, but its work relating to the murder of two senior RUC officers was very important.

On the fiscal treaty, Mr O’Donovan said the Yes side’s referendum campaign was faltering day by day. He said the performance of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore on a recent television programme had been extremely poor.

Mr O’Donovan suggested the Seanad sit next week for a debate on the referendum, with the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan making themselves available to contribute.

Acting Seanad leader Ivana Bacik (Labour) said she thought that members could make a more useful contribution by canvassing for the treaty on the ground.