Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I accept that there is a challenge but I have discussed this with the Secretary General and my experience in my first few days is that there has been a co-ordinated and planned approach to this. The assistant principals and principal officers to whom I referred earlier gained experience they would not otherwise have. They are not just coming in overnight and transferring to Killarney. Some 70 members of staff have transferred to Killarney and we will not row back on that. There are logistics issues for some operational matters. I have no problem going to Killarney, it is a nice part of the country with which I am familiar.

In terms of communications in the modern world we live in, many of what are perceived as traditional problems can be easily resolved. There will be times when face to face meetings must be organised but, from the discussions I have had in the Department, I am generally satisfied there is a positive view and that the 70 members of staff are positive about their remit. We must learn new skills and some of us must learn them quickly but it is not beyond the ability of senior civil servants to pick up on new skills very quickly. Some have been in the Department for nearly three years and in that time they have acquired the knowledge needed in the Department. There is not a major issue in that regard.

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