Alex White (Labour)

Before I make a few brief remarks on the motion, I will briefly respond to Senator Boyle's comments from earlier in the debate, when he criticised the Fine Gael motion. He indicated it was mainly negative and no concession was made to positive achievements that have undoubtedly occurred in recent years.

There is a funny dilemma here for us as Senators because nobody could think it is the Opposition's job to sit down and work out ways of congratulating the Government on every aspect of its work. That is hardly Senator O'Reilly's job in the context of promoting a debate in this House. It is the Opposition's entitlement — some would argue its bounded duty — to identify aspects of Government policy or activity which require debate or criticism.

It is a bit rich for Senator Boyle to come in here and turn on the Opposition — as he has done on previous occasions when he was right to seek a consensual approach to issues — if one considers the Government amendment. If the Fine Gael motion is all negative, which I do not accept, what can be said about the Government amendment? To read that amendment or to listen to some Government speakers, one would think nothing is wrong with the postal service. The executives of An Post listening to this debate, particularly the Government Members, must be embarrassed by some of the laudatory remarks and contributions.

It is of course accepted on this side that improvements have been made and excellent people work within An Post, including its management, but it is our duty to point out what could be improved and where difficulties lie. It is odd that Senator Boyle should indicate, for example, that due account has not been taken of a recent European decision which has brought changes, and that this should have been included in the motion. Why was the motion not amended to take account of that?

The Leas-Chathaoirleach will appreciate I am new to this process and I have some difficulties in getting my head around how business is sometimes done. If Senator Boyle or other Government Members felt the European decision was missing from the motion, why did they not amend it in that regard? Instead, every week on Wednesdays at 5 p.m., if we have an Opposition motion in Private Members' time, there is a Government amendment which is almost laughable.

I realise that is the procedure of this House, which I do not denigrate, but the amendment always proposes the deletion of the words "after Seanad Éireann" and replaces all the bullet points with text detailing how incredible everything is in the service we are discussing.