Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Mullen's comments, which were eminently sensible. I will return to this issue. I also join Members who have complimented and congratulated the Deputies who were elevated to high office yesterday. Like Senator Twomey, I compliment my constituency colleague, Deputy Seán Connick. His business acumen and ability will be much in evidence in undertaking his new responsibilities. It is also good for the constituency to have a Minister.

Second, I seek a debate on the public service. I use the term "public service" loosely because I consider it something of misnomer. We owe a debt of gratitude to the CPSU. It has laid bare all the defects and weaknesses in the public sector. The people who are seeking passports have lost a considerable amount of money simply because those who are paid good salaries, with pensions one could not buy in the private sector, are not functioning or doing their job. People in the private sector who are losing their jobs and are now losing money because they cannot get a passport are being sacrificed in pursuit of self-interest. There has been talk over many years about public service reform. I believe what is required is way beyond that. Talk about reform is redundant. We must redesign the public service from top to bottom. In that regard I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Calleary, on his appointment. He is a young man with tremendous ability who has been given an enormous task. I believe he has the aptitude and capability to do a good job. We should have a debate on that in the Seanad.

I agree with Senator Mullen that we tend to avoid some of the thorny issues by not scheduling debates. In that regard, I believe we should debate the global economy. I was very concerned following a two-hour debate with a prominent US economist last week.