Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I endorse Senator O'Toole's comments on social partnership and would be very glad to debate it at any time. If one governs by decree and does not go before Parliament, one cannot be surprised if national strikes and industrial chaos ensue.

The question of driver-testers has been lamentably a long-standing problem that did not arise just last year. I am not a fan of the outsourcing of road, rail, air or any other safety agencies. Given that people who want a test have to pay a significant level of fees, which I imagine more or less covers the cost of administering and conducting the test, I cannot see why the appropriate number of people cannot be recruited. Perhaps a semi-State agency could be established for that purpose but I do not necessarily see much merit in outsourcing.