Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I agree with my colleague that we should have a more comprehensive motion before us rather one simply proposing to reduce the number of Ministers of State. I would like a discussion on reform of the Oireachtas and the public service. I welcome the Dáil reform I have seen in my time in the Dáil, in particular in regard to Question Time. There have been many changes in that regard, including Leaders' Question. I hope to see more reform so that Deputies can raise topical matters. I know how difficult it is and that the Opposition will always look for more reform than the Government is prepared to concede.

The former Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Noel Dempsey, attempted to abolish the dual mandate. It was difficult for Fianna Fáil because we are the largest party. One of the reasons we did not do too well in the local elections was that we did not have the candidates we thought we would put forward.

I am Minister of State with responsibility for local services. I was honoured to be appointed and when asked about my future in this job, I said it was a matter for the Taoiseach. However, I said there should be a Minister of State with responsibility for local services because it covers a wide area, including water services, climate policy, working with the Environmental Protection Agency and Met Éireann, the water safety programme, the fire services capital programme, the capital programme for public libraries and responsibility for county and city development boards and developing and strengthening their roles.

Other Ministers made the point that there has been a 10% reduction in pay and a 10% reduction in the operating costs of Ministers' offices. That has been difficult because we have lost staff in many Departments. We have tried to achieve savings by reducing overtime, general office expenses and travel. For my part, I have not travelled outside the country since my appointment but what else would one expect when dealing with local services? Issues such as postage and stationery have been looked at by my Department. The number of staff in Ministers' offices is now down to two, for which the motion calls.

I refer to what I regard as much uninformed comment on the role and work of Ministers of State. On "Prime Time" recently, I heard a reference to the State cars Ministers of State use. It was surprising that comment was made because it is over 25 years since the former Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, introduced the idea of Ministers of State purchasing their own cars and employing two civilian drivers who would share driving duties on a week on, week off basis. I could not believe that type of comment would be made. There is an idea that Ministers of State are provided with State cars driven by members of the Garda Síochána.

I would have thought there would have been some reference to joint committees in the motion. Many Deputies said we have too many committees and too many jobs for Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and convenors. I know the very good work committees do as I have served on a number of them in my time in both Houses. I was Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science from 1997 to 2002 and found it very interesting work. I hope we can expand on the work of committees.

The motion is very selective and is limited to one issue. I thought Seanad reform would have been mentioned because many parties have put forward proposals on Seanad reform. There is an all-party group chaired by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and I hope we will have a report from it soon.

Over the past few weeks I have been interested in discussions on the spending limits to be imposed in the local elections. Over the past two days in the Seanad, many Members welcomed the spending limits and the fact people know one cannot buy an election. The same is true about staff. I agree with Fine Gael's proposals on staff but as many Senators said, elections are about knocking on doors rather than dealing with the many restrictions laid down. People should not be worried about that because elections are about engaging with the electorate and knocking on doors to get support.

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