Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Ar dtús báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Calleary.

We are in a desperate place as a nation and as a people. Thomas L. Friedman wrote an editorial piece in The New York Times in May entitled "Root Canal Politics." He wrote:

The Tooth Fairy died last night of complications related to obesity. Born Jan. 1, 1946, the Tooth Fairy is survived by 400 million children living largely in North America and Western Europe, known collectively as "The Baby Boomers." "We'll certainly miss the Tooth Fairy," one of them said following her death, which coincided with the 2010 British elections and rioting in Greece. The Tooth Fairy had only one surviving sibling who will now look after her offspring alone: Mr. Bond Market of Wall Street and the City of London.

That is where we are. There is a need for real reform in the public sector, and a full Cabinet Minister is needed to drive this reform.