Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Where do we go from here? The next time a delegation tells the Minister of State's officials its proposal will save money, will he ask how much will be saved in order that we do not end up believing money will be saved without anyone having any idea how much? We must raise the standard of public administration to a higher level than that. Giving in to delegations and deputations has cost the country dearly. To give the Minister of State full credit, this measure will save money, although no one in the Department appears to have an idea how much.

As to whether it is appropriate for a Senator to raise this matter, it is a theme regularly dealt with by the National Competitiveness Council which reports to the Department. Will the Minister of State instruct the council not to discuss the high level of legal costs? It would be inappropriate for him to do so. Whoever advised him to say a Senator may not raise issues of cost in the House was utterly wrong. That is a major problem.