Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I support Senator Quinn. He was chairman of An Post and succeeded in getting what would not be regarded as the most dynamic of State companies to produce its accounts within three months. Any suggestions that this is not practical for the most dynamic and forward looking of our State agencies should not be taken too seriously.

This is a good time to mention that the public and the Minister for Finance have focused on value for money and efficiency in the public sector. Truthfully, tight deadlines are one of the most magnificent incentives to efficiency. The idea that because it might take six months under limited circumstances, that length of time is needed, is incorrect. If people are given legally obligatory deadlines, things will be done. If they are not, they will be done within the six month period unless there is an exceptional situation like that where Senator Quinn was in charge where things were done with a sense of urgency because of his commitment. Setting a six month deadline means reports will take six months while setting a three month deadline means they will be done in three months. That is reasonable and the sort of thing we need if we are turn our public services into the models of efficiency they ought to be.