John Kelly (Labour)

I am glad the Minister of State pointed out that we are talking about the same Civil Service. I am not talking about the Civil Service at large but senior advisers in the Civil Service who have been giving the same advice to the last three Governments. I am not suggesting we get rid of all of them but there has to be some kind of accountability which does not apply at present.

Deputy Hogan was in the House earlier. In fairness, under local government reform he stated the executive needs to be held to account. This is not happening. I thank the Minister of State and thank him for not reading out the script.