Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister on having the Bill passed with the co-operation of the House. Having served in four Departments - including as Minister for Trade and Marketing, Minister of State for Health and Minister of State for Post, Telegraphs and Transport - I recall receiving excellent co-operation and intellectual support from officials. They showed great willingness to work with me, as a Minister, throughout the world and were extremely efficient when I was the main negotiator for Ireland during the deliberations on the Single European Act. The work they did for me in Brussels was second to none and Ministers receive excellent briefings when they visit that city. The Irish public service is the best of its kind in the world and the best at negotiating in Europe.

On the trade side, officials were most effective and efficient and nothing I requested and no proposal I ever made was ever turned down without full and detailed analysis and support.