Feargal Quinn (Independent)

We easily take things for granted, such as assuming that we will get a response every time we dial 999 for the fire brigade. Yesterday's tragic deaths in the Murray and O'Shaughnessy families make us recognise the dedication of the fire services. I have had occasion to dial 999 because of fire and assumed that somebody would come but we have to realise that does not simply happen. I have had a business within a few hundred metres of yesterday's fire and can understand the thoughts of the people of the locality who do not realise the amount of work carried out by the fire services daily.

Senator Boyle referred to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report. I am aware that we do not have direct responsibility for funds and money but the report makes for fascinating reading and deserves a debate. We used to say: "Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves", although maybe we should now be speaking about cent and euro. The stories in the report are so interesting that I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on it.

One case of pennies and pounds involved public private partnerships in five schools where, according the Comptroller and Auditor General, decisions to rent rather than purchase prefabs resulted in significant costs. Matters such as these should be recognised in advance.

The other cost which stunned me was the integration of ticketing for public transport, which will now cost €50 million instead of the original allocation of €30 million. We should concentrate our attention on these enormous figures. The cost of laying pipes for a sewer project in Limerick was €32,000 per metre. I spoke about pennies and pounds because we have a duty to ensure good management in this country. I congratulate the Comptroller and Auditor General on what he has done but his report deserves our attention.