Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Wage increases are for the entire society and wages have been increasing. The Deputy's point is about a specific post and a position of Secretary General in the Department of Health. When I was questioned, I made the point that given my experience in health, there is merit in the Secretary General position in the Department of Health having a higher salary than other Secretary General positions.

Why would I say that? At that time and in the few months before that appointment, we were in the middle of a global pandemic, we had allocated enormous sums to the Department of Health and we had emerging issues with the children's hospital that summer. If I am honest about it, the Department needs fundamental reform and change to be fit for purpose. That was the motivating factor. Something similar happened regarding the HSE position, the Garda Commissioner and other positions.

I understand fully the points the Deputy has made. I understand people may not agree with me on this. We are all entitled to have views. I have no personal interest in this other than, as Taoiseach, I have to act in respect of the health portfolio.

The Government set itself three fundamental objectives when we came into office and, to be blunt about it, we do not have time to be hanging around. Climate change is one issue. Housing is another, and health. Of course, there is a range of other issues. We want to get things done and we want change.

People may disagree with us on an issue such as the filling the position of Secretary General of the Department of Health but I am clear that more needs to be done in health. The Department of Health needs to be the go-to Department in the public service. It was not that for the past number of years from what I am hearing. There are many very good people working in the Department. They have been working extremely hard during Covid-19. I pay tribute to the public servants in the Department for the work that they have done above and beyond the call of duty. It is so enormous. It is relentless in terms of issues that arrive on the desks of civil servants in the Department. It needs expansion, it needs capacity and then the relationship with the HSE is one that has to be developed. However, the expenditure we have allocated to health generally is exponential in its growth.