Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to organise a debate early in the next term on industrial relations in the public service and semi-State companies. We have discussed Aer Lingus today and Iarnród Éireann in the past with regard to the disruption to the travelling public caused by disputes. In any well-regulated, dynamic economy, the customer is king but unfortunately that message has not got through to public servants with regard to delivery of services.

I also ask the Leader to organise a debate on the National Roads Authority. In the past, I was a strong critic of the NRA for its lack of vision and planning but we have seen significant improvements recently, perhaps because of significant investment. We have seen tremendous improvements in our motorways and dual carriageways. If we criticise an organisation, it is important that those criticisms are fair and just. Allegations should not be made regarding repairs having to be made by the NRA when those repairs are actually the responsibility of the contractor. We should have a debate on the NRA, toll roads and so forth as soon as we reconvene in the autumn.