Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Many people from all walks of life have been in contact with my office about their sheer frustration and outrage at the inexcusable and colossal waste of people's money we are here to speak about. That was well before, and pre-empts, the announcement of some €9 million of the people's money on phone pouches for schools. It was in respect of a number of other embarrassing and shameful acts of throwing our money away: the bike shed, the security hut and the now infamous children's hospital. There is no doubt but there is more waste to come.

I have said before in this House and will say again there is a culture issue at play. The public needs to know that will be brought under control. The scandalous waste has turned this House into a laughing stock and the Government has made a holy show of us all. Where is the accountability? In the shadows of an impending election, that is where.

I listened to the Taoiseach's remarks this afternoon and have come to the conclusion that how we define "listening" and "delivery" are very different. He said he and his Government are "listening" and "delivering". Once-off payments are not delivery; they are sticking plasters and nothing more. One review plus another review does not equal all ears. It is actually the opposite and we learned this from the recent roll-out of the pilot school transport scheme. It removes the Minister from the issue and those impacted.

The Government speaks of massive levels of investment and that is fine. That is its prerogative but I ask Government to please stop forgetting the pits we came from and where, in fact, we still are - that is, major deficits in the basics of housing, healthcare, disability and childcare. I say on behalf of all who have no home and, therefore, no hope in sight that the Government's record on real delivery is not very mindful and not very demure.

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