Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

We will, as a consequence, be left with people who are not performing. Rationalisation of the public service must take into account non-performance and these people should be removed from the payroll. Otherwise, we will end up with a dysfunctional public service, which to some degree is what has been happening during the past 20 plus years. Our problems are in part a consequence of a lack of calibre in that regard. I point Members who do not accept this to a Committee of Public Accounts report in regard to three highly paid senior public servants who appeared before that committee to explain the profligacy of moneys on tribunals. Having read that report I was so uninspired I concluded that if I had a company I would not employ any of those three people, who are among our most highly paid senior public servants. We need to address this issue, which should be a priority of the outgoing and incoming Government.