Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls for a debate on public service reform and the banking situation. The Taoiseach and the Government have received poor press in recent months because of the very serious change in the economy, which is a global phenomenon. I welcome yesterday's publication of the public service reform report, which was launched by the Taoiseach. He has been exceptionally consistent on the issue and has been measured in what he has said. He has been very fair and balanced to ensure that people who work in the public service have entitlements and rights that must be recognised. At the same time he is determined that we get change, which most public servants who are operating well want to see happen.

I welcome in particular the fact that the guarantee of a job for life in the public service will be reviewed. I always felt that was a fundamental flaw in the system. I welcome the fact that efficiencies in productivity and the reform programme will not be accompanied by compensation to public servants. People who have jobs now should value them and should be prepared to be flexible. Given time, I believe that the Taoiseach will show he merits the great confidence that we and everybody out there have in him. The Indecon report to which Senator Alex White referred was one of the finest templates of the future economic direction of the public service.

I compliment a man who has been much criticised this week, the former director general of FÁS, Mr. Rody Molloy. He was an exceptionally good director general of that organisation.