Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator O'Toole's comments on the need for public service reform and the need for an urgent debate. Yesterday, in his contribution on the Private Members' motion, Senator Walsh referred to the fact there should be a pay freeze. Under no circumstances should a pay freeze be countenanced given the increase in inflation. In fairness to public servants, they deserve a minimum of a moderate pay rise.

I will provide one example of the need for urgent reform of the public service. Earlier this week I met a person who works in a key position in the Health Service Executive and who intends to take maternity leave. Her job was advertised, interviews were held, a candidate was selected and offered a job and was informed the start date would be 1 May. The successful applicant then received a telephone call to state that arising from the embargo on staff recruitment, the job would not be filled. This leads to a lack of service delivery. To borrow a phrase used yesterday, this constitutes a dereliction of duty to the people. Public service reform arises in the context of management. It pertains to the way in which it is being managed rather than to the front-line staff or the public servants who deliver great service every day.