Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I share the Taoiseach's view and I hope the intensive discussions taking place will lead to this difficult matter being resolved. It is fair to say that the partnership process over the past 15 years has been fundamentally important to economic and employment stability in Ireland which has led in great part to the strength of the economy. Obviously the economy faces a different set of challenges in the years ahead given the growth of China, India and the new EU countries, the emergence of different technologies, competitiveness pressures in manufacturing and so on.

The Taoiseach said some time ago when the Irish Ferries dispute began to get difficult that there was nothing further the Government could do. Arising from that statement, were some of the actions by Irish Ferries taken as a result of the Taoiseach indicating that the Government could not do any more? Was that a tactical mistake, given that the intervention of the national implementation body has demonstrated that more could have been done and that more can be done? I hope it works out. What is the Taoiseach's view on the damage done to the social partnership structure by this type of activity? Has it made it more fragile and susceptible to damage? During the next 12 to 15 months, does he see the partnership process reducing itself to the areas of real concern to the social partners or expanding its remit to, as he stated here one day, whatever one is having oneself? How does he see the new partnership structure as the economy and the country face the challenges of the times ahead?

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