Liam Fitzgerald (Fianna Fail)

That is where we were in 1987 and from where Ireland had to be rescued by the then Fianna Fáil Government, albeit a minority Government, with support from a wise, young, dynamic politician in the Tallaght strategy who, within a short time, was subsequently cast to the wolves and to political oblivion by his own party. The facts are there, unpalatable as they may be. I have heard spokesmen in unseemly haste to top the spin doctor league perpetuate the view that the public finances are in total disarray. I have heard them on radio and television and read articles in the newspapers. This is nothing but abject nonsense because on a day to day basis the country continues to enjoy a significant budget surplus. The three most sensitive spending Departments are Health and Children, represented here by the Minister of State, Education and Science and Social and Family Affairs which have received the lion's share of the increases. In each case expenditure has almost doubled but in the Department of Health and Children it has more than doubled.

The question of the effectiveness of that spending is one that has to be addressed. I was most heartened to find it addressed today by the Minister in his opening speech. The question of accountability and good management within each Department has been addressed. He has sent a clear signal to the public and to all his Cabinet colleagues that that management process will have to step up quickly.

I wish to comment on the pension fund because some of our commentators have rushed to print to say we should rob the pension fund. That is an abominable and an appalling indictment of the mentality of some people—