Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Social partnership seems to be drowning in cotton wool. Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the current social partnership structure is capable of dealing with our economic problems, given that it is a producer-led as distinct from a consumer-led forum?

The national action plan against racism made a specific recommendation that funding would be put in place for a system to prevent racist remarks and so forth during elections. How will this apply in the forthcoming by-elections which must be held at some point?

In respect of educational disadvantage, the number of young people who are not moving from primary to secondary education is increasing by approximately 1,000 per annum. How will social partnership be able to cater for this given the U-turn on the reduction in class sizes? Will the Government be able to meet its commitments in dealing with child poverty and early school leaving made in Sustaining Progress, given that zero progress has been made in coping with the number of early school leavers?

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