Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to be here today to have this opportunity to discuss the ongoing review of State agencies being carried out by the Government. As Members will be speaking on the budget tomorrow, I do not propose to discuss it now except where relevant to this debate. I thank Senators Boyle and de Búrca for raising this important topic which is under active consideration and forms part of the Green Party's contribution to improving the governance of this country. Perhaps Senator Boyle and I can share a small piece of the credit for the revised numbers of Ministers of State that will come into effect in a few weeks' time.

The value of the Seanad is enhanced when a more dispassionate and less relentlessly political approach is adopted. That is or should be a distinctive feature of its proceedings. I note, in idle mental calculation, that one fifth of the Seanad's membership has contributed to this evening's debate.