Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Fianna Fáil councillors in south Tipperary tell me that there is much more money available than was the case previously.

The Government has been criticised for not reducing numbers in the public service, as was temporarily decided in 2002 and 2003. If one wants the services, however, one needs the numbers. During yesterday's debate on inflation, I quoted the National Competitiveness Council which stated that in terms of productivity we were well served by the public service.