Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Does the Taoiseach still stand by the statement he made last May that people should congratulate him on the state of the health services and that the vast majority of Irish people are happy with the health services?

The Taoiseach mentioned that the OECD will examine a number of relationships. Will it examine the relationship between the taxpayer and the consumer in the context of increased efficiencies and better service in the public service? The former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, referred to people ringing local authorities and being instructed to press button five or 12 or whatever. From that perspective does the Taoiseach accept that, despite the volumes written and the amount of paper shredded within the benchmarking process, the benchmarking body failed ultimately to set out for members of the public, for taxpayers, many of whom are themselves public servants, any real and tangible benefits, any demonstrable advantages on foot of which they could say they are happy to pay their taxes because they get a level of public service which complies with best practice? That did not and does not happen in many cases. Vague generalities were published but there was no validation of tangible benefits. Members on this side of the House asked Minister after Minister to cite three areas in their Department where there was increased service to the public consequent on the benchmarking process. In every case the answer was negligible or complete waffle. Does the Taoiseach accept that the benchmarking process did not set out tangible benefits for the public? Is the OECD now going to move into that space and make recommendations in regard to what should be done in various Departments?

See this speech in context