Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Since the Government was elected for a third time three months ago, it has created three new Ministers of State, established new committees with chairs, vice chairs and convenors and introduced legislation to facilitate a former Minister in claiming his pension. There is nothing wrong with this as it is fair that people can claim their pensions but it would be nice if it was extended to former gardaí and old age pensioners and not confined to Ministers. The Government also proposes to give its members substantial pay increases that would make the Taoiseach the highest paid head of government in the world. By any standards this amounts to feathering one's own nest, particularly when there are cutbacks in the health service, child care and other areas of public services. Is the taxpayer getting value for money with regard to these increases?

I am delighted to see that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has joined us as it gives me the opportunity to use him as an example. Last week, a report from his Department informed us that senior officials, including the Secretary General of the Department of Transport and the Secretary of the Government, knew about the Shannon issue. It appears everyone knew about this matter except the Minister with governmental responsibility for it. Even if we believe all of this, the kindest thing we can say about the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is that he is not on top of his job.

Even by the normal standards of incompetence set by the Government, the Minister's performance since last Thursday takes the biscuit. On Thursday, he told people who must wait months for a driving licence that they have four days to get such a licence or get off the road.

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