Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I listened with interest to Senator Thomas Byrne, who alluded to the fact that the necessary measures for this matter are proposed in the Haddington Road agreement. They are already in the Croke Park Agreement and are dealt with in another forum. The Minister has adequately explained why there is no need to include these measures. Some 10,000 people have redeployed within the public sector over the past seven to ten years. All of those were given an opportunity, they all volunteered and there was no problem. Senator Byrne is trying to create a problem, for the sake of his amendment, when none exists. The Minister pointed out that, in the current circumstances, people have been given the opportunity to redeploy rather than being made redundant. They are willing, albeit reluctant, to do so. Savings must be made.

When Fianna Fáil was in government and a grand announcement about decentralisation was made, no thought was given to the staff who, theoretically, were going to be sent to the four corners of Ireland. It never happened because the great man went to Brussels instead. Members should reflect on this.