Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his response and welcome his comment on the central feature of employment standards. Recent revelations in the context of the mushroom industry make this matter pertinent. Is the Taoiseach holding out for the prospect of a ten-year national partnership agreement or is it likely that we will face some type of sticking plaster 18-month short-term agreement? Is there a sense that the Government will be in a position to conclude a ten-year partnership agreement?

What response has there been to the recent report of NCB Stockbrokers on migration? It clearly indicated and predicted another 15 years of inward migration, of the order of 40,000 per year, to drive economic growth. It also predicted upward pressure on house prices, which are a central feature of life today. What impact did the report have on the partnership talks?

I refer to a matter which I raised with the Taoiseach last week in respect of the current system of social partnership. A total of 400,000 people drive with provisional licences while some 132,000 await driving tests. I understand that tests were cancelled in Ballina today due to road works. This means people, young people in particular, pay an additional €23 million in insurance premia they should not have to pay. There is a stigma attached to being unable to qualify as a driver, as well as social disruption when one is unable to take up a job because of one's lack of a full driving licence.

Outsourcing has been inhibited within the current structure of social partnership. I understand it was to be used to deal with the backlog. Since this issue was raised, has the Taoiseach been able to deal with the trade unions in terms of getting a derogation under social partnership? When discussions with the social partners are resumed, will this issue, which has a direct influence on standards and, ultimately, on matters of life and death, be a central theme?

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