Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

This matter has come up before but needs to be asked again. Since his election to the office of the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen has expressed an interest in streamlining Government and public sector reform. On two occasions, first by reappointing 20 Ministers of State, he indicated that his speeches are not matched by actions.

Regarding legislation before us, we have the same situation. Since I raised this matter with the Taoiseach, he has expressed interest in reducing the number of agencies. Yet, 15 items of legislation are still on the legislative programme establishing new State agencies or State boards, seven of which are due by the summer recess and eight after it. On the white list of the Government legislative programme there are five Bills that will extend the powers of State agencies. Some 15 Bills set up State agencies and five Bills extend the powers for State agencies and another allows State agencies to set up sub-agencies and companies. Is this another example of the Taoiseach being a good debater but not having substance behind it? Will the Taoiseach continue to introduce legislation to establish so many more agencies?

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