Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I regard this motion as largely academic. The Opposition motion shows a lack of appreciation for the work done in the public service. The public service, specifically the Civil Service, will put in an enormous amount of additional work into our forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. We have a relatively small public service compared with most other countries. Our teachers have larger classes and our health workers must look after larger populations than their counterparts elsewhere.