Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the broader expense element, particularly in the context of an interesting article published in The Sunday Independent last week. Perhaps the Minister of State has not read the article but I hope that it has been brought to his attention. The article was written by Mr. Colm McCarthy whom Senators will know as the author of an bord snip. He raised problems of a fundamental and worrying nature about the actual and eventual cost to the taxpayer and consumer, perhaps due to the delay in rolling out the new system or 12-year period between the commencement date and eventual takeover of the system.

He also raised matters such as the hiring of 300 staff to date by the new authority. I want to pose some questions on the matter. Have staff transferred from local authorities? Are they new staff? If it is new staff then nobody will have left the local authorities - not that we seek that they do so.

He spoke about the intervention by the Labour Relations Commission, talks, dialogues and some sort of forum - that is presumably not mentioned in the legislation - to put in place all of the structures. He also spoke of the 12-year delay before the new system is up and running. All of those issues concern taxpayers and the eventual consumer will foot the bill. Perhaps I shall have an opportunity to go into greater detail with the Minister of State when we discuss later sections. As far as I was concerned, the article was a bolt from the blue.

I concede, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, that I missed the Second Stage debate last week so have not had an opportunity to contribute. Mr. McCarthy has raised some issues that I am sure the Minister of State shall attempt to address.