Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Those of us who come from a business background are always surprised with regard to the length of time it takes for the Government and the public sector to move. The Croke Park agreement came into being approximately five months ago. In such circumstances, it seems that a long time passed before the Minister for Health and Children made her announcement to the effect that numbers in the HSE are to be reduced by 5,000. I wish to correct Senator Prendergast who stated that people would only have 17 days in which to make a decision. I understand that, overall, there will be a period of 30 days in respect of the acceptance of applications.

A huge number of jobs in the public sector could be removed from the system. In that context, one need only consider the number of quangos that are in existence. Sir Philip Green was appointed by the British Prime Minister to carry out a review of government spending and procurement. He said he could save £20 billion with the number of quangos he would reduce. There is a need for us to grab hold of things. A sense of urgency is needed, as is a sense that we are going to move on it and can do it. Senator Fitzgerald was correct. The sooner we get decisions such as the budget, the better. I do not know if it is possible to move the budget any earlier, but the sooner we can do it, the better. I have a concern that if there was an election, the longer it was delayed the more questions would arise as to the policies of those who will be elected. I would love to hear the Labour Party policy and to hear it say what it will do because there will be more doubt the longer the question is not answered.