Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

These are issues which I can answer if specific questions are tabled. I was asked to give a specific reply on the cost of the first and second benchmarking awards in my Department. If the Deputy is suggesting that benchmarking was provided on the basis of no change, he is not correct. The Revenue on-line service was a result of the benchmarking process, as was the question of stability and change in the education curriculum. One could set out a range of reforms and improvements which resulted from benchmarking. Where a delay occurred in implementing agreed changes, payments were delayed until the changes were delivered.

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