Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Of course I will push it. We are not trying to hold another debate on the NESC strategy on housing. We are not looking for another debate on the reports on the welfare system or on the housing system, even if they are exciting and raise important issues that are not addressed by Government strategy, nor on the reports challenging the way we think about the environment and our capacity, as governing entities and communities, to address issues. I want serious efforts to be made by the partnership to address those challenges and to put them up in red lights. We are here with a mandate and I do not want to leave this House at the end of my career knowing that these issues exist but were ignored by the Government and the social partnership.

The Oireachtas has a role in creating the impetus because we represent citizens rather than interest groups and our job is to hold the Government accountable for the way in which it does its business and the partnership accountable for the issues it addresses. That is our role. We are seeking to exercise our rights, not to hold debates on a Friday afternoon about worthy reports which will have no influence on Government or the partnership process. We want to stake out ground for the Oireachtas by shaping the development of partnership. We want a proper and mature relationship with the social partners which benefits those who partake in the partnership, as well as our electors. Let us not forget that many people are disillusioned with partnership. Small businesses feel they are not represented by IBEC. Rank and file union members feel disenfranchised. Consumers, users of public services and environmental interest groups feel that their voices are never heard.

The Minister of State, by attempting to deflect these real issues into a few more debates on a Friday afternoon about NESC reports, has deliberately misinterpreted the remarks of speakers from this side of the House. I will not delay the House because I do not believe he has the authority to concede on this, even if we succeeded in persuading him on it. It is not acceptable to conduct debates in such a manner. These are important issues and someone should be present who has the capacity to make decisions when we want to put forward amendments.

I thank my colleagues on the Opposition benches for their support of this amendment. It is an important one but, as others have noted, it represents the start of a process and will need to be complemented in many other ways. This issue is of sufficient importance to require a division of the House.

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