Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

No, it was the critical final phase when the numbers were clear. As the Taoiseach rightly felt, we needed an even more proactive engagement and the workforce planning teams that had been established in every sector became transition teams and brought in additional expertise to ensure, as best we could, everything was running smoothly. We may face problems but I hope we do not because we have done everything that is humanly possible.

In regard to downsizing, we have set targets for reducing public sector numbers between now and 2015. It will be done within the umbrella of the Croke Park agreement, which means there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Deputy McDonald accused me of being fixated with numbers. I am fixated with two things, namely, restoring the economic sovereignty of our State, which is a job I have been given, and reforming the public service. That is why we have a Department dedicated to both economic management and political and Civil Service reform. We will do both and are in the process of doing both. In the first year we have achieved a remarkable amount.

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