John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to formally second the motion. The Fine Gael position, as clearly outlined by my colleague, is focused solely on securing value for money in public services. The Government has clearly failed to secure through the benchmarking process a reform agenda in the public services.

I read the budget speech last year of the Minister for Finance in which he outlined his view and vision on benchmarking. He said the key was that real change had to be brought about. It is obvious from what we have seen of benchmarking that it will not happen. Everyone knows that a deal has two sides, and there is an old saying that he who pays the piper calls the tune. What is the tune we are asking the piper to play? It is clear that the benchmarking deal was negotiated behind closed doors and that no clear discernible benefits or improvements in public services or value for money will arise from it.