JOHN McGUINNESS defended his junior ministerial job as he came under pressure on his recent criticism of the public sector.
Labour spokesman Willie Penrose had challenged Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan to say if she agreed with the remarks of her Minister of State, who said nearly two weeks ago that the public service was "so protected by its unions that it has largely become a reactionary, inert mass at the centre of our economy".
Ms Coughlan said Mr McGuinness had made it clear his views were personal. "The views expressed are some of many sets of views as to how the public sector should be conducting its business on behalf of the taxpayer in 2008 and beyond," she added.
Accusing Mr McGuinness of making "a shameful and broad-brushed attack on the Civil Service", Mr Penrose said that one of the first actions of a Fianna Fáil taoiseach was the creation of three new posts of minister of state.
"Let us deal with that issue here and the cost it imposes," he added. Mr McGuinness interjected: "I am providing value for money." Mr Penrose again pressed Ms Coughlan to say if she agreed with Mr McGuinness's views. "If so, what practical actions will she take? If the Minister does not agree with him, she should say so," he added.
"I would like to know if it is the position of the leading party in Government that the public service is responsible for the condition of the economy."
Ms Coughlan replied that it was hard to answer the question.
"At the end of the day, the deputy knows full well that that is not the situation," she said.
"With all due respect, I do not have the time to get into the complexities of why we are experiencing economic difficulties." Ms Coughlan said that, in her view, public sector reform was needed.
Those in the public sector agreed reform was needed and were more than happy to work towards achieving it.
"Arising from the OECD recommendations, we will be taking action," Ms Coughlan said.
"Mr Penrose will agree that there are those within the public sector who are wrongly vilified and who do not get the support they need for the work they do," she said.
