Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Good, competent people working in respect of the implementation of a programme for Government are always valuable. They interact with each other through the various Departments and with the public service. Ultimately the function of the Government is to determine solutions and make decisions, as the Deputy well knows. In that respect, effectiveness of government is critical to move the country on. I agree with Deputy Martin that it is important that there be objectivity and a different analysis of what might emerge from people being too concentrated inside government in many ways.

The programme manager concept worked very effectively under a number of coalition Governments in that issues that were to be decided by Government were agreed and problems that arose were dealt with before they got to Cabinet, thus making it easier for members to tease out issues and make decisions. This is important. Time is not to be wasted. Good, competent people working effectively in the interest of implementing a programme for Government are working in the country's interest.

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