Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a failure and an abandonment of management, not a responsibility of trade unions. The trade union movement of course is tightly regulated by law.

The final speaker was Deputy Durkan. I agree with him and thank him for stating one cannot tar everybody with the same brush. The idea that somehow, because corruption is identified, everyone in public administration is corrupt must be addressed. There is an irony in that the more robust and vigorous are our investigation procedures and the more corruption that is uncovered, the greater the perception of corruption there is. However, this is something Members must do.

The final point I will make pertains to a point on which I agree with the Deputy, that is, the peculiar view that appears to be abroad to the effect that no matter how distinguished or qualified one is, if one has a political association one is disqualified from holding an office. It is corrosive of politics and public affairs if people perceive that one should not be associated with the political system, which is really important.

I look forward to debating all these matters in great detail later on Committee Stage. I thank all Members for their contributions.

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