Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

Before we know it, the cost of administration exceeds what is available for distribution. In that context it is right that this legislation is not setting up a super body, not bringing in full-time chairmen and full-time staff. Nor is it establishing a new corporate body. To do that would almost certainly result in the money not going where it should.

Linking this with existing Departments makes sense, not merely because the personnel is there, which is important, but because there is a huge base of knowledge within those Departments which is gleaned by virtue of their own particular roles. This makes it easy for a Department to link a case with an area in which it is working. In addition, we as Oireachtas Members in this Chamber or in the Dáil have the opportunity to inquire into the work of the Departments. I am disappointed by the suggestion, although I am sure it was not intended in this way but was probably intended to bolster another argument, that somehow the civil servants would not do a good job. I have said before that we have the best public servants in the world and we have seen that over and over again.