Measure 'should have gone further'

OPPOSITION REACTION:OPPOSITION PARTIES said yesterday that the reduction in the number of Ministers of State was a limited measure and did not go far enough.

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton commiserated with the seven TDs who lost their position but added that more should have been dropped.

He said: “I make no secret of the fact that my party believes that the Taoiseach should have gone further both in reducing the numbers and in the remuneration of the offices.”

Labour Party whip Emmet Stagg said that while the reduction in number was welcome, it would be unlikely to have any impact on the huge problems facing the country.

“I accept that there is a role for Ministers of State in a number of areas, but if they are to have any impact at all, it is essential that they are given clearly delegated powers,” Mr Stagg said.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that the cutting of numbers and shuffling of personnel was not an answer to the current economic crisis.

“Although I hope it will prove to be otherwise, many will consider this to be nothing more than a smokescreen for the Government’s failure to address the real issue of jobs,” he said.