Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

In many respects little distinguishes the public and private sectors. They have different roles.

I entirely agree with Senator White. Partition has been an impediment to economic development in the North. Significant improvements were made in Northern Ireland railway rolling stock which I welcome. The lack of a motorway from Belfast to Derry would not have happened if the country was independent.

Decentralisation was mentioned by Senator Henry. It is an entirely voluntary process. Across the water, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, announced a large decentralisation programme and if people did not participate they lost their jobs. In the senior levels of the French public sector it is taken for granted that high-flyers will serve in the prefectures throughout the country. I wish certain senior civil servants here would adopt a more positive attitude to the gains and experience of being located in various parts of the country.

The Minister for Finance spoke with tremendous passion and conviction.