John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reason I asked the question is that there is a perception at least that some of the senior managers in the Department of Finance come from a very small pool, and have done traditionally. Senator Barrett referred to the movement from the Department of Finance across to the Central Bank. There is a strongly held perception that in Ireland traditionally senior managers in the Department of Finance come from a very set background. I know Mr. Wright was limited in terms of having only three months and there is only so much one can do in such time, but in terms of strengthening the capacity of the Department of Finance, there is more to the Department than just banking or even the construction sector. Is it representative of the economy as a whole and is the perception that exists correct, that it might not be?