Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

It is with interest that I note the Senator's amendment and comments. His reference to cuts and more cuts perhaps demonstrates his vision. If that is how he would go about his business, it may be that that is the only avenue he believes is available to him. A quite simple point that could be made in return is that we should perhaps consider how we do our business and whether we can achieve savings through simple improvements and efficiencies.

Last week my vehicle tax disc was due for renewal. In years gone by one would have gone to the motor taxation office and queued all day with a large crowd of people - I presume Members remember this. One would have received a number and sat and waited and then been sent from one counter to another and, eventually, two or three hours later, one would have come out with a new tax disc but perhaps also to a parking ticket. Last week, however, I went on-line and the next day received my tax disc in the post. That is efficiency and an increase in productivity. That is what people now expect. Rather than cuts or great alterations, we need to see more slight improvements in the way we do business in our modern country. I hope the Minister and his colleagues will be able to achieve such reform throughout the public sector and I wish them well in doing so. I commend those members of the public service who have participated in change and achieved such success. They have not taken an Arthur Scargill-type stance of refusing to budge. Let us all be proactive. The feedback I am receiving from staff in the public sector and their representatives is that they do not want to get involved in a militant, argumentative stand-off. We all want to see progress and the country turn around. I wish those involved in the process every success in encouraging people to take steps similar to the example I described in respect of car tax.