Mary White (Fianna Fail)

We are indebted to the comments by Dr. Michael Somers last Saturday on the "Marian Finucane" programme. We have received two excellent reports on the financial crisis. However, had Dr. Somers not had the courage to speak out and dare criticise the Department of Finance, this issue would be under the political radar. I have personal experience of dealing with officials in the Department which pervades every aspect of society and stops developments in many social issues. I refer, for example, to the late delivery of the early child care scheme and the lack of funding for free breast care screening for women over 65 years. There are many social issues, in respect of which money has not been allocated because of the Department which is a male-dominated organisation and looks at issues with a male's mind. It fails to realise that it is necessary to address certain social issues. For example, one in every six secondary school children leaves secondary school without a leaving certificate.

The bottom line of Dr. Somers's statement is that officials in the Department of Finance saw on a monthly basis the increasing yield from property development taxes and failed to do anything about it. I am a fan of Dr. Somers who has been outstanding as chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency. We have had different Ministers for Finance, including Mr. Charlie McCreevy. Dr. Somers said on Saturday that he had criticised the Department when Mr. McCreevy was Minister and had been devoured for doing so at an Oireachtas committee. I am trying to obtain the minutes of that meeting and will advise the House on them later. It is critical that the terms of reference for the new commission to inquire into the financial crisis extend to the officials of the Department. It will be a farce if they are not included.