Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Chair on his appointment. It is great to see so many new Deputies around the table. I am comforted by the fact that we also have some experience around the table and will work collaboratively together.

It is important that our public service is scrutinised. The work of the Comptroller and Auditor General is really important in ensuring we deliver value for money in our public service. With my family history, I grew up very aware of the value of public service and the importance of delivering transparency in an efficient public service. I feel very privileged that I get to sit on this committee and work with all of the members.

I hope that the scrutiny carried out by the committee drives better processes and efficiencies in our public service. When I speak to people having knocked on doors and in coffee shops and train stations, I find they are not giving out about the amount of money they pay in tax. Rather, they give out to me about the value of and the waste they see in the public service. It is the waste that is always highlighted. Unfortunately, the good work is not highlighted as much. I would welcome whatever we can do to try to drive better efficiencies and value for money in our public service. I very much look forward to working with all members and to understanding how we set that work programme.