Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Here is my question to the Minister - he says it is not just about a head-count, but is also about reform. The Minister has been more than cautious in addressing issues of culture within the public sector, particularly at the upper echelons. He has almost been afraid to deal with some of the obvious issues, including high pay and pension pots. The Minister has run away from that. Redeployments have happened, as have cuts for civil and public servants on modest incomes, and they are feeling the pain as a result. When it comes to playing the game with the big boys, however, it strikes me that the Minister does not have the belly for it.

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