Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

Senator Byrne has raised an important issue concerning the possibility of outsourcing. At this stage, we are in such dire straits that everything must be looked at. I am not sure that the general public are too worried about how a particular service is provided. If they get a good service and value for money, people will be prepared to consider the possibility that some services might be privatised or outsourced. In considering these matters, however, it will be important for the Minister to have a lot of dialogue, so there must be an opportunity to debate them. The Seanad is an appropriate place in which to discuss the possibly radical changes the Minister is likely to make to how services are provided.

Those of us who serve as public representatives see opportunities everywhere for doing things differently and better. In considering privatisation or outsourcing, the Minister will hopefully be creating employment for Irish business as part of the jobs strategy. At this stage, therefore, everything has to be on the table and open for discussion.

I welcome the Minister. In the few hours we have seen him in action there is little doubt that he is a man of immense ability. He has some wonderful ideas and I have no doubt that he will get the support of the Cabinet to carry through the many promised reforms that are badly needed. Hopefully, by the time the Government goes to the country again we will be in a much different and better position. I compliment the Minister on the work he has done to date.