Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I second Senator Fitzgerald's amendment to the Order of Business. It is most concerning that in a democracy it seems that the Government is literally trying to block the independent reports being brought forward by the Ombudsman's office. This is the second time in a matter of a few weeks. We had the lost at sea report. Now we have the Who Cares? document in which the Ombudsman clearly states that the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive have both refused to co-operate with her in the conduct of the investigation leading to the report. That is a sad indictment of Government. It is anti-democratic. It comes on top of efforts by the Government, even in the courts, to block citizens from exercising their democratic right to give a verdict on the Government via by-elections. This is shocking.

I concur with those who called for a debate on public sector reform. It is an essential factor in the road to recovery. Fine Gael has not been afraid to step out and outline its policy on this important matter. It is not a new concept in Ireland. The ESB, which is heavily unionised, is a national body that reduced its workforce from almost 14,500 to 7,000 by negotiation and agreement during the unprecedented growth of the Celtic tiger years. There is no reason other civil and public service organisations cannot do the same, but we are not seeing the necessary willpower on the part of the Government. Will the Leader arrange a debate? Let us map out the road to recovery and start by having a good debate on public sector reform.