Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will try to deal with the points made in the two and half minutes that remain.

Senator Pat O'Neill asked a question about recruiting. Many staff are being recruited to the public service, particularly in the education sector, to fill gaps, but I want to avoid agency work, particularly in the health service. The Senator specifically mentioned outdoor staff in the local authority sphere and made valid points. I know that the Minister for Social Protection has views on the matter, too. There must be a balance struck because one cannot replace local government workers with people from community employment schemes because of union issues and so on. I heard what the Senator said in this regard and his comments are valid.

Most of Senator Jim Walsh's questions were about expenditure, including the level of expenditure and capital expenditure. All of his questions will be answered if he accesses the departmental website.

Senator John Gilroy asked about reform and the legislative framework. The first piece of legislation will be on committees of inquiries. I hope to publish it during the session, but that will be hard to do, as it depends on how quickly it is dealt with by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. I have spoken to its Chairman and there is cross-party support for the legislation.

I pay tribute to Senator David Norris's record which is exemplary in terms of the issues he has spent a lifetime advancing. Ireland, generally, would be a worse and less equal place without his sterling contribution to public affairs and public life. I regret that he finds himself in such a position - I do not think anybody expects to be enriched by such a contribution - but to be impoverished is unacceptable. I am mindful, however, of his very strong and well made points.

Senator Lorraine Higgins asked questions on Garda vetting, but they are matters for the Department of Justice and Equality. The same applies to Senator Paschal Mooney's questions. Everything comes within the remit of my Department, but I cannot be the Minister responsible for everybody else's Department. As Senators can see from my portfolio, I am responsible for enough.