Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Brian Hayes' comments on consultants. I raised the matter on a previous occasion in this House, when I referred to the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, who had approximately 130 studies and reports carried out during his period as Minister. Many of those reports have gathered dust. Departments often adopt an easy approach to hiding problems by engaging consultants to examine them. There is inadequate recognition of the resources within Departments, which have employees who are qualified to carry out such studies. Over the last few days the debate on PPARS and its cost has focused attention on the area of consultancy, about which a more enlightened approach must be taken. I was appalled to hear the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, refer to excesses of expenditure as minuscule in the context of the overall budget. Deputy Dempsey cannot be living in the real world if he regards €150 million as minuscule.