Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The role of the Department of Finance does not rule out the need for us to assign people to these areas because we have co-ordinating, leadership and other responsibilities. I do not accept the contention that the social partnership process has been abandoned. It is an important function in terms of providing a structure within which relationships and interests can be negotiated. It is wrong to regard a process which has helped to provide stability, and which will continue to do so in the future, as the fall guy for all our problems. Difficult issues have to be negotiated in any event and the process is wider than the traditional area of pay and conditions for public servants. Negotiations on wider inputs into policy and positions are in line with promoting good democratic practice and they should continue. The fact that we cannot guarantee unanimity does not undermine the process. The preferred outcome of discussions is agreement, however. The references made in certain quarters are rather denigratory in that regard.

In regard to economic and other affairs, the Department of the Taoiseach is relatively small in terms of personnel and costs given the level of responsibility assigned to it. While we continue to work with other Departments on controlling the cost of the public service, we also undertake important functions which require the input of competent and adequate personnel.

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