Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Does the Taoiseach accept that not fulfilling promises made in the last partnership agreement has not helped his case for this potential agreement, about which the Taoiseach is pessimistic? Is there a timeframe by which 90 additional labour inspectors are to be appointed, given the Taoiseach's commitment?

Will there be any provision in the forthcoming discussions for the Kyoto agreement, climate change and the matter of who will pay for this under the partnership agreement? Can this be agreed upon and does the Taoiseach have any intention of agreeing this?

On the basis of the National Economic and Social Council strategy report 2006, to which the Taoiseach referred, does he accept that the level of indebtedness with which people are burdened as well as the increases of 40% in apartment management fees and 40% in gas bills require that such costs be contained so that they do not rise above inflation, as is the case currently? Can the Taoiseach provide any assurance on this, a fundamental reason agreement on pay cannot be reached?

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