Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister agree that taxpayers and consumers have been shafted by the by the partnership process? Business gets its bit, at any rate big business does, the unions get theirs, farmers get something and Government politicians and Ministers who are supposed to stand up for taxpayers and consumers do not do so. In the current context, given the politicians we have, does the Minister agree that the best way for consumers to be protected is to ensure that there is a consumer advocate, the NCA or another one, and a taxpayer advocate who would be a central part of the partnership process? If consumers and taxpayers are not satisfied, the partnership will not proceed.

Reference was made to the voluntary community pillar. The Minister will be aware that the Consumers Association of Ireland applied for inclusion in that grouping and was refused by the Department of the Taoiseach. Will she ask the Taoiseach to reconsider that decision and to include the association as a partner in the community and voluntary pillar?

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