Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to give my good friend and colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendon Howlin, apoplexy by suggesting the embargo be relaxed. Obviously, we must stick to the strict financial parameters within which we are operating, but within these parameters, as the Senator kindly acknowledged, the overall objective is being achieved. There are some Departments, including the Department of Children and Youth Affairs which I mentioned where it has not been fully achieved. Let us wait to see the figures for 2012 and if all Departments have managed to achieve that objective. Obviously, I am conscious that staff are retiring and of the need to keep an eye on this area to ensure we meet our objectives.