Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I would like to pursue a little further the Taoiseach's last response. I acknowledge, as did Deputy Kenny, that both Ministers of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputies Carey and Roche, are doing real jobs. Also, the two Ministers of State present in the House are excellent Ministers of State.

The Green Party, which is a partner in Government, has proposed a reduction in the number of Ministers of State. I would like to know if that proposal has been brought to Government and if the Government is considering reducing the number. I recall that when the proposal was made a number of Ministers of State volunteered their preparedness to step aside if such reduction was required. This is probably the only area of the public sector in which volunteers have presented in terms of reductions in numbers. Is the Government actively considering reducing the numbers of Ministers of State?

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