Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I think there is, in terms of co-ordination. I do not like the concept of just a competitiveness commissioner. Everyone knows how that will turn out. I have no problem with competitiveness leading to a better economy and investment but the social dialogue issue would get lost in that. Last week, I met with the employers, unions and conferences. They will always have more resources and will always push that debate. There are many difficulties in that area. There is a need for co-ordination. As the Deputy mentioned, all the activities in education, child care and other economic areas need to be co-ordinated. However, that will not be done by ECOFIN alone or by the Labour and Social Affairs Council.

As I said at the meeting of the tripartite summit, I am concerned about what some countries are trying to do and I do not say that wearing my Presidency hat. If co-ordination is discussed in terms of finance and competitiveness what then will happen to the Labour and Social Affairs Council of which Deputy Quinn and I have had experience through the years? Will it remain or will it be subsumed? Whatever its faults, the council has done excellent work for the past 30 years. It would suffer if we take that road.

The growth and stability pact was also mentioned, though not by Deputy Quinn. I do not agree with Deputy John Bruton or Deputy Rabbitte in that regard. The growth and stability pact has served its purpose well. There are arguments about it but it has also helped policy in terms of growth. I acknowledge that Deputy Bruton takes a great deal of interest in European issues but I do not agree we should tear up the strategy. If business is not about growth and jobs, what is it about? That is what we should be about — growth and jobs create opportunities for quality of life.

Deputy John Bruton mentioned that some of his remarks were made to provoke debate. The name of the strategy has been debated during the past few days. However, that is irrelevant. One has to have economic policy.

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