Mary Henry (Independent)

Before I was elected to the Seanad, as a doctor I was tortured by people asking questions about social welfare. When I entered the House it was worse. Then, seven years ago, the queries stopped. I thought they had realised I had no power or influence but then I discovered that the Department of Social and Family Affairs had been touched by an angel of some sort and there had been training in customer service because people were getting answers to their queries. There is now a totally different attitude in the Department of Social and Family Affairs from that of some years ago. People get answers and that saves people like me a great deal of time and trouble.

I am sure the two bodies the Minister will establish will be excellent but the lobby groups are enthusiastic about a statutory advisory group and this is the one opportunity they will have to get it. The Minister, however, has her face set against it.