Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

A number of school groups are in the Visitors Gallery and I am sure they are trying to follow this line of questioning. I take it we are still talking about the Government's third annual progress report. On that basis, is this a case of the Government assessing its own progress or has any level of independent assessment been brought to bear on this document? Is it not fair to say that this could be seen as akin to an errant student writing his or her own report card and obviously trying to put the best possible gloss on it, whether or not it is fully truthful? Would it be advisable in a report of this type to be more up-front in admitting to mistakes made, promises that perhaps should not have been made in regard to the ending of hospital waiting lists or the objective of having primary school classes of less than 20 pupils, an objective which is far from being met? I do not wish to go into greater detail as the Ceann Comhairle will tell me to ask the line Minister. The Transport 21 plan is an example of what I am talking about. This time last year the Taoiseach said the metro could not possibly be countenanced——

See this speech in context