Madam, - The Government has announced its intention to reform the public service.
Can we therefore expect to see a reduction in the number of junior ministries created to placate backbench TDs?
- Yours, etc,
Madam, - In the course of his speech launching the so-called public sector reform programme, the Taoiseach said: "We believe that the local government system is ideally placed to take a lead role in driving integration at local level. Local councils can also play a stronger role in democratic accountability for how these services are provided at local level, even when they are part of a national system".
I really want to agree with him and endorse his comments. However, the truth is that virtually every action of the past three governments of which was a senior member has acted directly opposite to this. Why on earth should I or anyone else believe him now?
- Yours, etc,
Madam, - To repair the damage done by unregulated finance, the Government proposes to sell Irish banks to a private equity fund. To reduce the number of quangos, the Government creates a quango ("An Bord Snip Nua"). You couldn't make this stuff up.
- Yours, etc,