Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I, too, congratulate Senator O'Gorman on his maiden speech. I hope he gets an opportunity to contribute further in the future but, if not, he can be assured that he has made a contribution to this Seanad.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation. I congratulate my constituency colleague, Deputy Hoctor, on her appointment as Minister of State. She has been given considerable responsibility in the area of care of the elderly. It is an onerous and responsible duty and I wish her well in it. I do not accept the argument that the cost to the taxpayer of Government or additional Ministers of State should be the only consideration when dealing with the number of Ministers of State or the extent of Government Departments. It must be a consideration, but should not be the only one.

One of the most important issues is the effectiveness of the work of the Minister of State and the Department he or she runs. Senator O'Gorman mentioned that point. We must also recognise that our committee system, as currently constituted, is not working effectively to hold Ministers and Ministers of State sufficiently to account for their work. A number of pertinent issues in the past five years were not effectively or sufficiently dealt with by Government but there was no mechanism available to change that in time to make a difference.

Take the mental health area as an example. That issue is close to Senator Henry's heart and I have raised it in the Seanad on a number of occasions. In north Tipperary it is an issue of major concern for a number of individuals, groups and families in the local community due to the absence of sufficient and appropriate services for people who suffer from mental ill-health. The former Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, was responsible for the publication of more than one very good report. However, it was reported by the inspectorate that in the two years between the publication of a report and the election, progress was not made on implementing very fine and widely agreed recommendations. The result is that people who need services still do not receive them. The bottom line is that the Department was not effective in delivering those services.

Other Senators referred to child care. In this House I acknowledged the commitment, dedication and work of the former Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan. However, the intention of the establishment of the Department was not met. Entire areas have not been effectively or sufficiently dealt with, such as the growing needs of children in care. It must be measured in effectiveness as well as cost which should not be disregarded.

Accountability must also come into play and one of the most important aspects is to examine our systems of accountability. Government is growing not only because we have more Ministers of State but also because we do not appear to ask the question whether Government could be smaller. Automatically, the issue is that Government will be bigger.

I wish to raise the issue of managing the issue of integration, which was referred to by Senator O'Gorman, and the Taoiseach and the Minister have also referred to it. The speed at which we received a new population in this country is extraordinary. To a large extent, we have dealt with it effectively, but many issues are bubbling under the surface which will come back to haunt us shortly if we do not get our act together.

I wish all the new Ministers of State well. In particular, I wish my constituency colleague, Deputy Hoctor, all the best with her new and onerous responsibility. I am sure she has the ability and commitment to make a difference in the area.