Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Eddie Hobbs did the State some service. People were riveted by his programme judging from the numbers that watched it. Senator Finucane also referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General and senior officials. I will return to that point to which Senator Mansergh replied. A Minister has overall responsibility for his or her Department and that includes the actions of civil servants and the explanation of same. I do not know how we could organise such a debate or which Minister would address the matter but I have been giving some thought as to how we would discuss the report.

Senator O'Toole referred to the Taoiseach's statement on ferry workers. Well done to the Taoiseach. He is the Prime Minister and he saw fit to condemn what is a most dreadful practice. I cannot believe that redundancy money is being dangled in front of workers who may have current needs and concerns about cash. They could not be faulted if they decided to take it up but the outcome would be that workers would be paid half the going rate. It is a terrible situation. It is wrong in every respect, financially, commercially but most of all socially and on a humanitarian level. The Taoiseach showed great courage in speaking as he did. Senator Ryan stated that seven or eight countries in Europe would not go along with that practice. Every sector of employment could be used in that way.