Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

Senator Fitzgerald has pointed out that on many pressing economic and social matters the Oireachtas, and the Seanad in particular, is either silent or does not have the ability to discuss such issues. An important element in the background to this problem, which has been touched on many times in this Chamber, is that there have been huge increases in the amount of money spent on the delivery of public services. However, there has not been a corresponding improvement in the quality of our public services. I am struck by the fact that once again, both items to be discussed on the Adjournment today relate to schools and education, which were also discussed last night on Private Members' time. When the Adjournment debate begins, I have no doubt Government representatives will refer to the enormous increases in funding for education but there are still outstanding issues that are raised every day by Members on both sides of the House.

A report is due to be published by the OECD on public service reform in Ireland. It will examine how we can ensure money for public services is better spent. I ask the Leader to ensure when the report is published that rather than it being debated in the pages of our newspapers, we are given an opportunity to discuss it in the House with the Minister for Finance. We must focus on how we can ensure proper accountability is in place all the time, especially to elected representatives. This point has been raised with regard to the Health Service Executive and last night, for example, to the Dublin transport authority. We must focus also on ensuring the pupil, patient and passenger is always at the centre, vis-À-vis new money being spent and services provided.

I acknowledge the role the Leader has played in ensuring additional time will be available to discuss the Dublin Transport Authority Bill to ensure it can be debated properly and amendments aimed at improving it can be tabled.