Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

A sensible proposal was made by Senator O'Toole in regard to pensions and restrictions on pension funds. It would be worth examining in the national interest and the amending legislation should be introduced as a matter of urgency in order that we could invest in ourselves, so to speak.

Fine Gael also agrees that the debt to GDP ratio must be reduced to 3% by 2014, the target agreed by the Government and the European Commission. We also accept that, because of higher debt servicing charges and a projected lower growth rate, the fiscal adjustment required needs to be at an amount above what has been agreed. We will make independent-minded decisions on what expenditure and tax measures are required to achieve the targets set. We will not be bound by the decisions made on particular expenditure cuts and tax increases which the Government may announce. We have had an enlightening chat about the matter, as one would expect. We are not, as Senator Mooney said, into having a one party State or one party rule. We do not need a national Government at this time for these and other allied reasons. We will continue to play a constructive role in the forthcoming debate on the budget. However, there will not be a second Tallaght strategy, as we all accept the context now is different.

Everybody is appalled at the waste of funds and the new revelations yesterday of FÁS-style waste in the HSE. Colleagues spoke about the issue on the Order of Business. Unfortunately, I was not called to speak about it, but sin ceist eile.

It is important that we hear from the Minister with responsibily for the public service. No one seems to know what cost reductions and savings are being made in any Department. The message seems to be that some Departments-----