Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree with the rather simplistic premise that suggests that fewer agencies per se will deliver better Government. It must be planned and done properly. For example, the HSE is an amalgamation of 56 agencies. It still has organisational challenges and has not brought harmony in terms of the delivery of services. Major challenges remain.

The integration of the public service and implementing the reforms set out in the OECD report refer in some cases to functions that can be devolved to agencies for a more effective delivery of services. That has happened and there are good examples but there are also some poor examples.

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