Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

My colleague from Clondalkin and I are sharing time. I thank you for the opportunity to speak briefly on this motion. I compliment the Independent group on its initiative in this regard because it gives us an opportunity to contribute to the debate. It is a good start to the business. I am glad nothing has changed and everybody is calm and we are going about our business. I said on another occasion that there is no need to be too frenetic because there are at least 500 days to the next general election. Therefore, let us be calm about this business and deal with the issues of concern to people.

It is interesting to listen to the debate from all sides because there is no doubt it is generating much interest and concern. Already this morning the Labour Party and my good friend, Deputy Rabbitte, have got enough mention so I will not mention them. Like other colleagues I was interested in the correspondence to The Irish Times. It is interesting to note — I do not say this in a flippant way — that in other parties there is much debate and even friction on some issues. Perhaps that is a healthy sign of democracy and politics. There is no doubt that people have diverse views on this subject. This morning we received correspondence from groups expressing concerns about the issue. Sometimes I say I was not born a Deputy and used to be quite normal and have a trade union background which may not compare to that of some illustrious colleagues in the House.

I know from trade union contacts and those who have stopped me on the streets in Tallaght and elsewhere that people are talking about this issue. There is much in this directive which could have consequences and we should be mindful of the different views. I had the opportunity on a number of occasions in recent weeks, including yesterday, to speak with my party colleague, Deputy Eoin Ryan, MEP, who has received much correspondence on this issue. In the build up to the debate on St. Valentine's Day in February there is still much to be said. I remind the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, who has impressed us by his work in the Department since assuming office, there are differing views on this issue. I am open to listening to what people have to say. Trade unionists say there are good things in this directive but there are also issues about which we should be careful. Other colleagues have made the point about racing to the bottom. In all our constituencies there are challenges in that regard and we should be careful about how we deal with them as well as the issues that could cause problems and issues that verge on racism. There is a responsibility on those of us in parliament to listen to the views from all sides and to represent them.

A rational debate is something everyone would welcome. As we proceed I hope that will be the case. It is important to state that the Government strongly favours a single market in services. We understand it would be in Ireland's interests in terms of employment prospects, trade opportunities, consumer choice and welfare enhancement. The draft directive is due to be discussed at the European Parliament. I hope colleagues from all sides liaise, as I have done in recent weeks, with our MEPs. In my case I have spoken with our Dublin representative, Deputy Eoin Ryan, MEP, who is taking a particular interest in the matter and has attended the SIPTU conference which dealt with the matter. He is due in Dublin to attend the ICTU conference this weekend. I expect he will take the same opportunity of listening to what people have to say and try to progress the issues.

I will digress for a moment to mention that in my recent encounters with trade unionists, in addition to this issue, they referred to the forthcoming production of the film on Connolly, in which they are taking a particular interest, as I am sure are all colleagues. I hope the Minister of State will note our particular support in that regard. Trade unionists throughout the country have asked that this endeavour would be brought to the attention of the Government. It is a most worthwhile project that should be supported.

I look forward to hearing the remainder of the debate on this Private Members' motion. It is important that we are rational about it. There are points of view to be made on all sides. However, we should acknowledge that concerns exist and these should be addressed.

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