Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Over the years, we have often raised the question of the efficiency of the public service from the perspective of customer convenience. Out of 100 public offices surveyed by Deputy Varadkar, only three were open on Saturdays, three were open after 6 p.m. and a large number were found not to meet normal office opening hours. For example, the public planning counters in the four Dublin local authorities close by 4.30 p.m. and in Fingal and Meath county councils they close at 3.30 p.m.

From that perspective and taking into account the e-government project, in respect of which no formal strategy appears to have been devised, what practical plans or proposals have been made to improve efficiency and convenience for customers under the strategic management initiative for which the Taoiseach's Department has overall authority? Given the busy schedules and working lives of the vast majority of people, does the Taoiseach agree that all modern technologies should be made available to them so they can conduct their business with the State more conveniently and professionally? Does he have other proposals in mind based on the e-government concept and, if so, when will these be rolled out?

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