Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I will deal with the matter raised by Deputy Doherty that is at the heart of all of this, namely, what one's view of trade unions is and what role one thinks they play in an economy and society. Trade unions have a very important role to play in our society. I spend a considerable amount of time dealing with them. I spend my time dealing with differences but, at times, there are lots of things on which we agree. I believe the most important relationship between where economies meet societies is the share of our national income that is absorbed in earnings to workers. When that trend goes down, as it has, it creates really big problems for living standards and the return citizens get from working. The analysis put forward by Deputy Burton regarding the effect that healthy unions and healthy economic institutions can have on living standards is right. I read the same analysis myself and I can see it. While we might differ a bit around the edges on it, Deputy Burton is correct in respect of the core point that when collective institutions work well, they can play a role in economic gains being distributed fairly and if that fair distribution happens, it is good for living standards and maintaining consent for how economies should work. I do not know why Deputy Burton is addressing her comments to my officials here. I must reassure her that they are very reasonable officials and the advice-----