I have a short question. I listened to your explanations carefully. I saw that there were personnel problems. You explained why. I also saw that the Auditor General tabled a report critical of your administration and you have attempted to respond.
You know, I think that in politics, as in life, perception is the most important thing. I am trying to put myself in your shoes. You worked in the public service for 28 years; you could have continued on another seven years and, suddenly, you receive an offer. You say with some surprise that you received an offer resembling a buyout. It is as if they were buying your credibility and reputation for $500,000. In your place, it seems to me that I would have thought that if the government was no longer satisfied with me, I would have given up the job; I would go and work elsewhere in the public service and complete my 35-year career properly to earn the pension and money owed me. By accepting the offer, it seems to me that you opened yourself up to a number of interpretations and rumours, and that you discredited the public service in general.