Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I would also point out to Deputy Ross that for the first time a new Department has been set up. The Department of Finance, as he knows, has been split into two Departments: the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance. There is a whole new attitude, focus and set of priorities within the Department of Finance. For the first time in many years, it is proactively engaging with organisations, individuals and bodies that have credible propositions for economic development and the good of the country. In that sense, between both Departments, there is a new regime in the way decisions are being taken concerning the development of the economy. Both Ministers have been intensively engaged with the troika on the memorandum of understanding and bringing about changes which have been negotiated for the betterment of our people and the economy.

I can assure Deputy Ross that everybody in the public service will have the full protection of the Government as of now. When the whistleblowers legislation is enacted it will strengthen that even further. We are fully supportive of that. I want the Deputy to understand that an opposing or alternative view is certainly listened to, discussed and taken into account before decisions are taken by the Government.

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