Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin. Senators Sheahan and Quinn commended the Minister for his enthusiasm. I also commend the Minister for his clarity in explaining a complex Bill in clear and accessible terms. Like others, I welcome the Bill. Everyone has welcomed the Bill even though Senator Byrne has suggested he will oppose the Bill on Second Stage. I welcome the Bill as part of the Government programme for reform of the public service. It is also timely to point out that we all welcome the positive seventh review by the troika yesterday, given that this item of legislation is one of the commitments under the programme.

I listened to the comments of Senator Thomas Byrne on taking an oppositional position on Second Stage. Is a different position to that of Fianna Fáil in the Dáil and it surprises me, given the Bill has had a long genesis over a number of Governments dating back to when Deputy Ruairí Quinn was Minister for Finance.