Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Even if one were to believe that, it shows that the Minister had not put in place mechanisms whereby he would be informed in time of issues that are important to his strategy so that he would have the opportunity to act on them. Regardless of whether we believe that the Minister knew nothing, there must be accountability because, one way or the other, the Minister did not put in place the necessary structures in his Department. His predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Martin Cullen, who I hope will also participate in a debate, did not put in place structures in his Department that would allow a core issue to be notified to the top of the Department so that effective action could be taken to deal with it. As Deputy Gilmore said, the public was sold a pup. We were led to believe the Government had a strategy when there was none. This matter cannot be passed over as a routine question as it is a core element of Government strategy. The Government must step up to the plate, take responsibility and face the debate in this House in a proper manner.

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