Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I agree the civic forum should be set up as soon as possible. I believe also that if it is to have the beneficial effect it could have we must accord to it the importance and capacity it can have, rather than a greater capacity. For example, the Deputy mentioned the question of a common currency. Any and every matter can certainly be discussed in a civic forum but these are major political issues and can only be dealt with by governments, rather than in the Northern Ireland Executive construct. These would be very significant matters. In our effort to explore and exploit the full potential of these institutions we should not burden them with a level of expectation they cannot meet. I make that cautionary point not to take away in any way from one's enthusiastic endorsement of a civic forum and the potential it would provide for engagement in a non-contentious way. It should not be seen as an empty formula for discussion but, as the Deputy said, as offering a real participation by wider society in public policy issues that will cement the benefits of the Agreement in all its aspects.

The fact that technically we are awaiting a review from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on this matter is an indication that we need to move it from there in order to bring it to a successful conclusion. This is not in any way a criticism of the office. I am making the point that a good political relationship is necessary, not only between the parties and the Administration but also between the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, who need to work closely on these matters and show a capacity to move them on. This is the best way we can assist in making this happen as quickly as possible.

I do not believe there is any disagreement in the House about the necessity of establishing the forum as quickly as possible, the potential it has, or the need to develop social partnership on an all-island basis. This would also be of great benefit to the political culture, because social participation and partnership, in the context of policy, are about concentrating on solving problems, finding pragmatic solutions and taking other perspectives into account, whether those of the trade union movement, employers, farmers, voluntary organisations or political parties. We have seen the benefit of this. Social partnership raises a challenge in difficult times as well as being an excellent framework in good times. The fact that we have seen its benefits and developed it in all its aspects, rather than simply in a narrow economic or political way, gives me confidence that even in terms of the challenges we face in the Republic, social partnership remains the best means to find a way forward. People must see a viable way forward, and they must be prepared not to avoid solving the problem but to solve it in a way that can be supported by everybody who is affected.

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