Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Like other speakers, I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, to the House. Earlier, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, outlined the Estimates programme to the House. We are fortunate to be living in such times. Those who were involved in politics back in the 1970s and 1980s have witnessed Ireland's changing fortunes in more recent times. Twenty or 30 years ago, the Estimates presented a different story of severe economic and social problems, including unemployment and emigration. Our country has now turned the corner thanks to difficult decisions taken by politicians, ably assisted by those in the public service. Those decisions ensured that we can enjoy better times today.

Many of the increased resources have been targeted at areas in need of investment. The fruits of that investment are evident to many who in the past would have felt themselves to be economically disadvantaged and unable to access quality public services. The situation is changing but more needs to be done. The most topical issue of all is the health service.

The Estimates show that within less than a decade we have quadrupled investment in health. It is fair to say, however, that the quality of the health service has not kept pace with that increased investment. There is a real challenge to provide effective management training and input so that the leadership providing such services matches current investment. Significant improvements have been made in the health sector but difficulties remain. These are based more on personnel management issues than on the problem of financial resources.

The same goes for education where much needed improvements have taken place. The quality for many schools, particularly at primary level, left much to be desired due to a dearth of investment in such resources over decades and probably even since the foundation of the State. In former years we did not have the necessary resources so it is good to see improvements coming about in the education sector.

The same argument applies to the Garda Síochána where we have witnessed an improvement in numbers. Resources constitute an important issue in this regard. The safety and security experienced in society is attributable to the calibre of the Garda. In this regard, it is important sufficient funds are set aside in the Estimates to ensure the best possible training to international standards. Often in the private sector high quality training is sought for people in important executive positions and I have not seen the same concentration of priority on this matter in the public sector. We tend to depend on the Institute of Public Administration, IPA, to a large extent and we should look to other suppliers of training to ensure those occupying senior positions in the State sector operate to the highest standards.

Many of us have experience in the area of local government and it is enjoying far more resources today than in the past. My colleague, Senator Daly, alluded to secondary roads and so on but I remember when the resurfacing cycle was heading for 30 years, which had a huge impact, owing to scarce resources. I spent a long time as a councillor at both county and town level and there is a wide variance in the standard of senior executive at that level. We must concentrate on different levels of management within the local government system, including county manager level. The same applies to the private sector, where I have worked a great deal. Those who come from a business background will concede that, where companies generate significant income and are profitable, cost controls can slide and the status of value for money as a priority can fall due to the generation of high income.

This system does not exist in the public sector and the discipline that derives from competition is not there. We must constantly examine areas for improvement and cost effectiveness without diminishing the quality of public service. There is now a heavy concentration on the development of infrastructure where there was a deficit for many decades and it is great to see investment in road and rail. This is something our modern economy requires and, as a country on the periphery of Europe, it is essential if we are to remain competitive with other European states. We need a transport system that will allow us to trade effectively and competitively.

I have seen recent road improvements, going through greenfield sites, that disregard improvements made within the past decade and this typifies a lack of proper long-term planning. I do not understand how planning can look 15 to 20 years into the future when the infrastructure in question may have a lifespan of 100 to 120 years or longer if properly planned. Motorways built today with two lanes may require a third or fourth lane in 20, 30 or 40 years, however no provision is being made for such a possibility. Development is taking place beside such motorways which leads me to believe new motorways will be required in 30, 40 or 50 years to accommodate traffic flow. This represents appalling planning and it is an area we should examine to ensure taxpayers receive value for money and know that infrastructural developments are sustainable in the long term.

A seven hour delay on the N11 yesterday, alluded to on the Order of Business this morning, is an example that typifies a mindset that needs to change with regard to infrastructural planning. Someone should have foreseen an enormous delay to traffic and ensured the works took place at a time when such consequences could be avoided or mitigated.

On a recent bank holiday weekend I travelled from the south east to Dublin on the N9 and there was a 40 to 45 minute tailback around Moone.