Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am also very pleased that a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute has been achieved, subject to ratification by members. I thank the Labour Relations Commission, under Kieran Mulvey and his team, for facilitating the parties and steering them towards an agreed solution. I thank the national implementation body, which set out on 4 December the proposals that were worked on to make this possible. I congratulate the unions, including both SIPTU and Seaman's Union of Ireland, the management side and everybody involved on their great effort in successfully resolving this issue.

I welcome the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on PPARS. The value for money reports which his office has introduced in recent years provide a very valuable perspective on many projects and programmes which have helped to shape the Government's future approach. It is clear, given that we have established the Health Service Executive, that we have one authority that can manage the issues that arise. This is a clear signal of the reforms this Government has brought forward and represents the only way we will ever deal with these issues. This is a clear indication from the report.

The Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Finance are examining closely the report's findings in respect of the work done over recent months. It will be a matter for the executive, in the first instance, whether it will seek to continue to implement the project. It will decide early next year. The executive will also pay particular attention to recommendations on future information and communications technology projects.

We have all learned lessons on this major issue.

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